Abstract 1533: Characterizing tumor-immune surveillance in Li-Fraumeni syndrome

Abstract

Abstract Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS) is a cancer predisposition syndrome associated with germline TP53 mutations and increased lifetime risk of developing multiple cancers. p53, the protein encoded by TP53, plays a role in regulating various aspects of immune cell biology. Accordingly, inactivation of p53 in tumor cells shapes interactions with the immune system and influences the anti-tumor immune response. Mutation or deletion of p53 in immune cells also favors tumor development and progression. However, to date, a comprehensive study of immune cell populations and the anti-tumor immune response has not been undertaken in the context of LFS. We hypothesized that germline TP53 mutation carriers possess dysfunctional immune cells and/or immune responses, supporting LFS-associated tumor progression. Our preliminary data indicate a profound defect in tumor-immune surveillance in an LFS murine model. We observed that MC38 cancer cells develop significantly faster into tumors when injected into LFS mice (harboring a gain-of-function mutation Trp53R172H/WT) compared to wildtype (WT) control mice. Importantly, we identified significant alterations in immune cell compositions and phenotypes within the tumor microenvironment as well as immune organs using flow cytometry. We are currently using ex vivo proliferation assays and cytotoxicity assays to investigate the impact of mutant p53 on the tumor-killing ability of immune effector cells. Altogether, an improved understanding of anti-tumor immune dysfunction in the context of germline TP53 mutation may reveal the potential for innovative therapies to target different facets of the immune system to intercept cancer progression in LFS patients. Citation Format: Camilla Giovino, Nicholas Fischer, Noel Ong, Ashby Kissoondoyal, Ran Kafri, David Malkin. Characterizing tumor-immune surveillance in Li-Fraumeni syndrome [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1533.