A new kCa3.1 channel activator SKA-346 boosts T-cell antitumor response in the immune suppressive microenvironment

Abstract

Immunotherapies have revolutionized the standard-of-care cancer treatment and engineered T-cell therapy has been approved for treating certain tumor types. However, tumor-mediated immunosuppression still represents a major obstacle to these approaches. Dying tumor cells release substantial amounts of intracellular K+, causing 10-15-fold increased concentrations of extracellular K+ ([K+]e). Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes bathed in this [K+]e-rich fluid are suppressed. Here, we investigated the impact of high-[K+]e on human T-cell functions.