Allosteric inhibition of SHP2 stimulates antitumor immunity by transforming the immunosuppressive environment

Abstract

The protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 binds to phosphorylated signaling motifs on regulatory immunoreceptors including PD-1, but its functional role in tumor immunity is unclear. Using preclinical models, we show that RMC-4550, an allosteric inhibitor of SHP2, induces antitumor immunity, with effects equivalent to or greater than those resulting from checkpoint blockade. In the tumor microenvironment, inhibition of SHP2 modulated T-cell infiltrates similar to checkpoint blockade. In addition, RMC-4550 drove direct, selective depletion of protumorigenic M2 macrophages via attenuation of CSF1 receptor signaling and increased M1 macrophages via a mechanism independent of CD8þ T cells or IFNg. These dramatic shifts in polarized macrophage populations in favor of antitumor immunity were not seen with checkpoint blockade. Consistent with a pleiotropic mechanism of action, RMC-4550 in combination with either checkpoint or CSF1R blockade caused additive antitumor activity with complete tumor regressions in some mice; tumors intrinsically sensitive to SHP2 inhibition or checkpoint blockade were particularly susceptible. Our preclinical findings demonstrate that SHP2 thus plays a multifaceted role in inducing immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment, through both targeted inhibition of RAS pathway-dependent tumor growth and liberation of antitumor immune responses. Furthermore, these data suggest that inhibition of SHP2 is a promising investigational therapeutic approach.