Targeting CENP-E augments immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer via stabilizing PD-L1

Abstract

Centromere-associated protein E (CENP-E) plays a critical role in mitosis and chromosome misalignment, which may represent a potential therapeutic target in tumors. CENP-E is frequently overexpressed in lung cancer and act as a driver gene. However, it remains unclear whether CENP-E regulates the immune microenvironment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Our study revealed that CENP-E is highly expressed and predicts a worse survival in NSCLC patients; inhibition of CENP-E leads to an upregulation of PD-L1 expression, consequently impacting the immune microenvironment of NSCLC by modulating the balance between CD8+ T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs). Mechanistically, we demonstrated that downregulation of CENP-E could stabilize PD-L1 mRNA through the targeting of its 3′UTR by TTP. The genetic knockdown or pharmacological inhibition of CENP-E, in combination with PD-L1 antibody, could enhance the antitumor effect in NSCLC. Thus, our findings have revealed a role of CENP-E in immunotherapy and suggest that combination of CENP-E inhibitor with PD-L1 antibody could be an effective treatment option for NSCLC.