Reshaping the Tumor Microenvironment of KRASG12D Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma with combined SOS1 and MEK Inhibition for Improved Immunotherapy Response.

Abstract

KRAS inhibitors have demonstrated exciting pre-clinical and clinical responses, although resistance occurs rapidly. Here, we investigate the effects of KRAS-targeting therapies on the tumor microenvironment using a library of KRASG12D, p53 mutant, murine PDAC-derived cell lines (KPCY) to leverage immune-oncology combination strategies for long-term tumor efficacy. Our findings show that SOS1 and MEK inhibitors (SOS1i+MEKi) suppressed tumor growth in syngeneic models and increased intra-tumoral CD8+ T cells without durable responses. scRNA-sequencing revealed an increase in inflammatory cancer associated fibroblasts (iCAFs), M2 macrophages, and a decreased dendritic cell quality that ultimately resulted in a highly immunosuppressive microenvironment driven by IL6+ iCAFs. Agonist CD40 treatment was effective to revert macrophage polarization and overcome the lack of mature antigen presenting DCs after SOS1i+MEKi therapy. Treatment increased the overall survival of KPCY tumor-bearing mice. The addition of checkpoint blockade to SOS1i+MEKi combination resulted in tumor free mice with established immune memory. Our data suggests that KRAS inhibition affects myeloid cell maturation and highlights the need for combining KRAS cancer-targeted therapy with myeloid activation to enhance and prolong anti-tumor effects.