Therapeutic targeting of thioredoxin reductase 1 causes ferroptosis while potentiating anti-PD-1 efficacy in head and neck cancer

Hsieh, Ming-Shou and Ling, Hang Huong and Setiawan, Syahru Agung and Hardianti, Mardiah Suci and Fong, Iat-Hang and Yeh, Chi-Tai and Chen, Jia-Hong (2024) Therapeutic targeting of thioredoxin reductase 1 causes ferroptosis while potentiating anti-PD-1 efficacy in head and neck cancer. Chemico-Biological Interactions, 395. pp. 1-17. ISSN 00092797

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Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) faces low response rates to anti-PD-1 immunotherapies, highlighting the need for enhanced treatment strategies. Auranofin, which inhibits thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) through its gold-based composition, has shown potential in cancer treatment. It targets the TrxR system, essential for safeguarding cells from oxidative stress. The overproduction of TrxR in cancerous cells supports their proliferation. However, auranofin's interference with this system can upset the cellular redox equilibrium, boost levels of reactive oxygen species, and trigger the death of cancer cells. This study is the first to highlight TXNRD1 as a crucial factor contributing to resistance to anti-PD-1 treatment in HNSCC. In this study, we identified targetable regulators of resistance to immunotherapy-induced ferroptosis in HNSCC. We observed a link of thioredoxin reductase 1 (TXNRD1) with tumoral PD-L1 expression and ferroptosis suppression in HNSCC. Moreover, HNSCC tumors with aberrant TXNRD1 expression exhibited a lack of PD-1 response, NRF2 overexpression, and PD-L1 upregulation. TXNRD1 inhibition promoted ferroptosis in HNSCC cells with NRF2 activation and in organoid tumors derived from patients lacking a PD-1 response. Mechanistically, TXNRD1 regulated PD-L1 transcription and maintained the redox balance by binding to ribonucleotide reductase regulatory subunit M2 (RRM2). TXNRD1 expression disruption sensitized HNSCC cells to anti-PD-1–mediated Jurkat T-cell activation, promoting tumor killing through ferroptosis. Moreover, TXNRD1 inhibition through auranofin cotreatment synergized with anti-PD-1 therapy to potentiate immunotherapy-mediated ferroptosis by mediating CD8+ T-cell infiltration and downregulating PD-L1 expression. Our findings indicate that targeting TXNRD1 is a promising therapeutic strategy for improving immunotherapy outcomes in patients with HNSCC. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Cited by: 5
Uncontrolled Keywords: Animals; Auranofin; B7-H1 Antigen; Cell Line, Tumor; Ferroptosis; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Mice; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; Reactive Oxygen Species; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; Thioredoxin Reductase 1; auranofin; pembrolizumab; programmed death 1 ligand 1; programmed death 1 receptor; ribonucleotide reductase; ribonucleotide reductase regulatory subunit M2; thioredoxin reductase 1; transcription factor Nrf2; unclassified drug; auranofin; CD274 protein, human; immune checkpoint inhibitor; programmed death 1 ligand 1; programmed death 1 receptor; reactive oxygen metabolite; thioredoxin reductase 1; transcription factor Nrf2; TXNRD1 protein, human; adult; animal experiment; animal model; antineoplastic activity; Article; cancer immunotherapy; CD8+ T lymphocyte; cell infiltration; cohort analysis; controlled study; down regulation; enzyme inhibition; female; ferroptosis; gene overexpression; genetic transcription; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; human; human cell; human tissue; major clinical study; male; mouse; multiple cycle treatment; nonhuman; organoid; oxidation reduction state; protein binding; protein expression; therapy resistance; transcription initiation; tumor xenograft; upregulation; animal; drug effect; drug therapy; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; head and neck tumor; metabolism; pathology; tumor cell line
Subjects: R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology (including Cancer)
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing > Public Health and Nutrition
Depositing User: Ngesti Gandini
Date Deposited: 14 Mar 2025 03:18
Last Modified: 14 Mar 2025 03:18
URI: https://ir.lib.ugm.ac.id/id/eprint/15758

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