Abstract B028: Investigating immune activity caused by a novel anti-cancer cell penetrating peptide

Abstract

Abstract Activating the immune system against cancerous cells represents a promising therapy against multiple cancer types, particularly breast cancer. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) represents an emerging target in immunotherapy. A novel anti-cancer cell penetrating peptide was recently discovered to affect immune recruitment and potentially function in a murine model of breast cancer. This peptide, termed cSNX1.3, is a targeted therapy to block the nuclear localization of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a phenomenon thought to occur primarily in cancerous cells. This suggests that nuclear localized EGFR may play a role in suppressing an anti-cancer immune response. To gain a better understanding of this in vivo data, we used in vitro immune cell co-culture techniques, migration assays, and other techniques to investigate immune recruitment and function after cancer cells are treated with this novel peptide therapy. In addition, we are investigating the mechanism of cSNX1.3 mediated cell death to determine if it can induce immunogenic cell death. To determine if nuclear EGFR plays a role in immune cell suppression, we are using a CRISPR/Cas9 strategy to mutate the nuclear localization sequence. This will provide a valuable tool to better understand the seemingly cancer-specific trafficking phenomenon. Together, this work will expand our understanding of therapy induced immune cell recruitment and trafficking. Citation Format: Ryan Hecksel, Angelica Escoto, Joyce Schroeder. Investigating immune activity caused by a novel anti-cancer cell penetrating peptide [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Advances in Breast Cancer Research; 2023 Oct 19-22; San Diego, California. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(3 Suppl_1):Abstract nr B028.