PD-1 blockade in solid tumors with defects in polymerase epsilon Journal Article


Authors: Rousseau, B.; Bieche, I.; Pasmant, E.; Hamzaoui, N.; Leulliot, N.; Michon, L.; de Reynies, A.; Attignon, V.; Foote, M. B.; Masliah-Planchon, J.; Svrcek, M.; Cohen, R.; Simmet, V.; Augereau, P.; Malka, D.; Hollebecque, A.; Pouessel, D.; Gomez-Roca, C.; Guimbaud, R.; Bruyas, A.; Guillet, M.; Grob, J. J.; Duluc, M.; Cousin, S.; de la Fouchardiere, C.; Flechon, A.; Rolland, F.; Hiret, S.; Saada-Bouzid, E.; Bouche, O.; Andre, T.; Pannier, D.; El Hajbi, F.; Oudard, S.; Tournigand, C.; Soria, J. C.; Champiat, S.; Gerber, D. G.; Stephens, D.; Lamendola-Essel, M. F.; Maron, S. B.; Diplas, B. H.; Argiles, G.; Krishnan, A. R.; Tabone-Eglinger, S.; Ferrari, A.; Segal, N. H.; Cercek, A.; Hoog-Labouret, N.; Legrand, F.; Simon, C.; Lamrani-Ghaouti, A.; Diaz, L. A. Jr; Saintigny, P.; Chevret, S.; Marabelle, A.
Article Title: PD-1 blockade in solid tumors with defects in polymerase epsilon
Abstract: Missense mutations in the polymerase epsilon (POLE) gene have been reported to generate proofreading defects resulting in an ultramutated genome and to sensitize tumors to checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. However, many POLE-mutated tumors do not respond to such treatment. To better understand the link between POLE mutation variants and response to immunotherapy, we prospectively assessed the efficacy of nivolumab in a multicenter clinical trial in patients bearing advanced mismatch repair-proficient POLE-mutated solid tumors. We found that only tumors harboring selective POLE pathogenic mutations in the DNA binding or catalytic site of the exonuclease domain presented high mutational burden with a specific single-base substitution signature, high T-cell infiltrates, and a high response rate to anti-PD-1 monotherapy. This study illustrates how specific DNA repair defects sensitize to immunotherapy. POLE proofreading deficiency represents a novel agnostic biomarker for response to PD-1 checkpoint blockade therapy. SIGNIFICANCE: POLE proofreading deficiency leads to high tumor mutational burden with high tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and predicts anti-PD-1 efficacy in mismatch repair-proficient tumors. Conversely, tumors harboring POLE mutations not affecting proofreading derived no benefit from PD-1 blockade. POLE proofreading deficiency is a new tissue-agnostic biomarker for cancer immunotherapy. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1397. ©2022 American Association for Cancer Research.
Keywords: genetics; mutation; clinical trial; neoplasm; neoplasms; immunotherapy; multicenter study; programmed death 1 receptor; dna directed dna polymerase alpha; dna polymerase ii; humans; human; programmed cell death 1 receptor; poly adp ribose binding protein; poly-adp-ribose binding proteins
Journal Title: Cancer Discovery
Volume: 12
Issue: 6
ISSN: 2159-8274
Publisher: American Association for Cancer Research  
Date Published: 2022-06-01
Start Page: 1435
End Page: 1448
Language: English
DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.Cd-21-0521
PUBMED: 35398880
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC9167784
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 July 2022 -- Source: Scopus
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