Small Molecule Activators of Antitumor Immunity

ConspectusImmune checkpoint blockade therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment. However, their clinical efficacy remains limited by dysfunctional T-cell states within the tumor microenvironment. These limitations are particularly evident in aged hosts, where metabolic and signaling impairments compromise immune fitness and reduce responsiveness to PD-1/PD-L1-directed therapies. Emerging evidence suggests that chemical modulation of immune cell function represents a promising strategy to overcome these barriers. Our work explores how small molecules can be leveraged to restore T-cell activity and potentiate antitumor immunity through complementary chemical mechanisms. By integrating cell-based screening with electrophile-focused chemoproteomics, we identified a covalent small-molecule activator, arvenin I, which engages a ligandable cysteine in MKK3, promoting signaling programs that revive exhausted T-cells and synergize with immune checkpoint blockade. In parallel, previous studies revealed that age-associated depletion of the endogenous polyamine spermidine contributes to impaired T-cell metabolism and diminished responses to checkpoint blockade. Using chemoproteomic tools, we profiled spermidine-interacting proteins and found that the majority were mitochondrial proteins, including lipid-metabolism factors. This chemoproteomic platform also enabled the identification of a biostable spermidine mimetic that restores mitochondrial fitness and enhances antitumor immune responses in vivo. Together, these studies establish a unified chemical biology framework in which covalent signaling activation and metabolite-inspired energy support converge to restore T-cell fitness. This Account highlights how chemoproteomic discovery can guide the development of immune-activating small molecules and underscores the potential of chemical approaches to complement and extend the impact of cancer immunotherapy.