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Emerging role of SWI/SNF complex deficiency as a target of immune checkpoint blockade in human cancers

Min Zhou1,2, Jianlong Yuan1,2, Yaqi Deng1,2

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.

Oncogenesis
|January 9, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Deficiencies in the SWI/SNF complex, a key cancer-related chromatin remodeler, can be targeted by immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. This highlights SWI/SNF as a biomarker for predicting ICB treatment response.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Mammalian SWI/SNF complex is a crucial chromatin remodeler involved in DNA accessibility.
  • Mutations in SWI/SNF subunits are prevalent in various human cancers, but their impact on tumorigenesis and therapy is not fully understood.
  • Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy shows promise in cancer treatment, yet reliable predictive biomarkers are scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances in ICB therapy that leverage SWI/SNF deficiency-induced cancer vulnerabilities.
  • To provide insights into the mechanisms by which SWI/SNF modulates anti-tumor immunity.
  • To highlight the potential of SWI/SNF as a biomarker for predicting ICB response.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on SWI/SNF complex, cancer, and ICB therapy.
  • Analysis of emerging evidence on the role of SWI/SNF in anti-tumor immunity.
  • Synthesis of findings linking SWI/SNF deficiency to ICB therapeutic response.

Main Results:

  • SWI/SNF deficiency creates vulnerabilities that can be exploited by ICB therapy.
  • SWI/SNF components play significant roles in regulating anti-tumor immune responses.
  • SWI/SNF status can serve as a predictive biomarker for ICB treatment efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • SWI/SNF complex mutations are linked to cancer development and influence response to immunotherapy.
  • Targeting SWI/SNF-deficient tumors with ICB represents a promising therapeutic strategy.
  • Further understanding of SWI/SNF's role in immunity can refine cancer treatment approaches.

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