GSE196323
Epigenetic repression of STING by MYC promotes immune evasion and resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors in triple negative breast cancer [RNA-seq]
The MYC oncogene is frequently amplified in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Here, we show that MYC suppression induces immune-related hallmark gene set signatures and tumor infiltrating T cells in MYC-hyperactivated TNBCs. Mechanistically, MYC repressed stimulator of interferon genes (STING) expression via direct binding to the STING enhancer region, resulting in downregulation of the T cell chemokines CCL5, CXCL10 and CXCL11. In primary and metastatic TNBC cohorts, tumors with high MYC expression or activity exhibited low STING expression. Using a CRISPR-mediated enhancer perturbation approach, we demonstrated that MYC-driven immune evasion is mediated by STING repression. STING repression induced resistance to PD-L1 blockade in mouse models of TNBC. Finally, a small molecule inhibitor of MYC combined with PD-L1 blockade elicited a durable response in immune-cold TNBC with high MYC levels, suggesting a strategy to restore PD-L1 inhibitor sensitivity in MYC-overexpressing TNBC. Overall design: mRNA profiles of indicated experimental conditions