Background: Tumor models resistant to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors or cisplatin express higher levels of the immune checkpoint molecule PD-L1. We sought to determine whether PD-L1 expression is elevated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) models of acquired cetuximab resistance and whether the expression is regulated by bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins.
Methods: Expression of PD-L1 was assessed in HNSCC cell line models of acquired cetuximab resistance. Proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC)- and RNAi-mediated targeting were used to assess the role of BET proteins.
Results: Cetuximab-resistant HNSCC cells expressed elevated PD-L1 compared to cetuximab-sensitive controls. Treatment with the BET inhibitor JQ1, the BET PROTAC MZ1, or RNAi-mediated knockdown of BRD2 decreased PD-L1 expression. Knockdown of BRD2 also reduced the elevated levels of PD-L1 seen in a model of acquired cisplatin resistance.
Conclusions: PD-L1 is significantly elevated in HNSCC models of acquired cetuximab and cisplatin resistance where BRD2 is the primary regulator.
Keywords: BET; BRD2; PD-L1 upregulation; cetuximab resistance.
© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.