Preventive Treatment with a CD73 Small Molecule Inhibitor Enhances Immune Surveillance in K-Ras Mutant Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia

Abstract

Immunoprevention is an emerging consideration for solid tumors, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We and others have shown that Kras mutations in genetic models of spontaneous pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), which is a precursor to PDAC, results in CD73 expression in the neoplastic epithelium and some populations of infiltrating immune cells, including macrophages and CD8 T cells. CD73 is an ecto-enzyme that converts extracellular adenosine monophosphate to adenosine, a critical immune inhibitory molecule in PDAC. We hypothesized inhibition of CD73 would reduce the incidence of PanIN formation and alter the immune microenvironment. To test our hypothesis, we used the KrasG12D; PdxCre1 (KC) genetically engineered mouse model and tested the utility of AB-680, a small molecule inhibitor targeting CD73, to inhibit PanIN progression. AB-680, or vehicle control, was administered using oral gavage delivery 3 days/week at 10 mg/kg, beginning when the mice were 2 months old and lasting 3 months. We euthanized the mice at 5 months old. In the KC model, we quantified significantly less pancreatitis, early and advanced PanIN, and quantified a significant increase in M1 macrophages in AB-680-treated mice. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of pancreata of AB-680-treated mice revealed increased infiltration of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and mature B cells. The scRNA-seq analysis showed that CD73 inhibition reduced M2 macrophages, acinar, and PanIN cell populations. CD73 inhibition enhanced immune surveillance and expanded unique clonotypes of TCR and BCR, indicating that inhibition of CD73 augments adaptive immunity early in the neoplastic microenvironment. Prevention Relevance: Previous studies found PanIN lesions in healthy pancreata. Not all progress to PDAC, suggesting a window for enhanced antitumor immunity through immunoprevention therapy. CD73 inhibition in our study prevents PanIN progression, reduces immune-suppressive macrophages and expands TCR and BCR unique clonotypes, highlighting an encouraging therapeutic avenue for high-risk individuals.