Augmenting Immunotherapy Impact by Lowering Tumor TNF Cytotoxicity Threshold

Abstract

New opportunities are needed to increase immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) impact for cancer patients. A genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screen uncovered several hits in the TNF pathway sensitizing tumor cells to T cell elimination. TNF antitumor activity was generally limited in tumors at baseline and in ICB non-responders, correlating with its low abundance. Selective inactivation of TNF signaling lowered melanoma and lung cancer thresholds to low TNF levels, thereby increasing tumor susceptibility to T cell attack and augmenting benefit from anti-PD-1 treatment.