ONCOmmunity

Dual Axl/MerTK inhibitor INCB081776 creates a proinflammatory tumor immune microenvironment and enhances anti-PDL1 efficacy in head and neck cancer.

By: Kourtney L Kostecki, Mari Iida, Anne L Wiley, Stanley Kimani, Bridget Mehall, Kaitlin Tetreault, Roxana Alexandridis, Menggang Yu, Seungpyo Hong, Ravi Salgia, Justine Y Bruce, Raymond B Birge, Paul M Harari, Deric L Wheeler

Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
2023-2-1; doi: 10.1002/hed.27340

Abstract

Background

The tyrosine kinase receptors Axl and MerTK are highly overexpressed in head and neck cancer (HNC) cells, where they are critical drivers of survival, proliferation, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance.

Methods

We investigated the role of Axl and MerTK in creating an immunologically "cold" tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) by targeting both receptors simultaneously with a small molecule inhibitor of Axl and MerTK (INCB081776). Effects of INCB081776 and/or anti-PDL1 on mouse oral cancer (MOC) cell growth and on the TIME were evaluated.

Results

Targeting Axl and MerTK can reduce M₂ and induce M₁ macrophage polarization. In vivo, INCB081776 treatment alone or with anti-PDL1 appears to slow MOC tumor growth, increase proinflammatory immune infiltration, and decrease anti-inflammatory immune infiltration.

Conclusions

This data indicates that simultaneous targeting of Axl and MerTK with INCB081776, either alone or in combination with anti-PDL1, slows tumor growth and creates a proinflammatory TIME in mouse models of HNC.