Notably, the PIM2 inhibitor JP11646 markedly enhanced antitumor T-cell response. The immunosuppressive role of PIM2 was validated in human T cells, where inhibition of PIM2 enhanced antitumor responses in engineered human T cells including melanoma-specific TCR-T cells and CD19CAR-T cells. Collectively, PIM2 represents a promising target for improving cancer immunotherapy through enhancing effector differentiation and persistence of CD8 T cells.
To further evaluate the clinical translation potential, we applied a Pim2-specific inhibitor (JP11646) and found that blocking Pim2 improved graft-versus-leukemia activity after autologous HCT and also enhanced CD8 T-cell mediated anti-melanoma effects after ACT in mice (Figure B, C)...Our work demonstrated that Pim2 is a potent and distinct regulator of differentiation and maintenance of T effector cells through modulating metabolism and autophagy. Specifically target Pim2 can serve as a novel strategy for improving cancer immunotherapy.