Development of a RIPK1 degrader to enhance antitumor immunity.

Yu, Xin; Lu, Dong; Qi, Xiaoli; Paudel, Rishi Ram; Lin, Hanfeng; Holloman, Bryan L; Jin, Feng; Xu, Longyong et al. · Nat Commun · 2024

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The scaffolding function of receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) confers intrinsic and extrinsic resistance to immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs) and emerges as a promising target for improving cancer immunotherapies. To address the challenge posed by a poorly defined binding pocket within the intermediate domain of RIPK1, here we harness proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology to develop a RIPK1 degrader, LD4172. LD4172 exhibits potent and selective RIPK1 degradation both in vitro and in vivo. Degradation of RIPK1 by LD4172 triggers immunogenic cell death, enhances tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte responses, and sensitizes tumors to anti-PD1 therapy in female C57BL/6J mice. This work reports a RIPK1 degrader that serves as a chemical probe for investigating the scaffolding functions of RIPK1 and as a potential therapeutic agent to enhance tumor responses to ICBs therapy.

Medical subject headings