Prognostic and therapeutic insights into MIF, DDT, and CD74 in melanoma

Oncotarget. 2024 Jul 19:15:507-520. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.28615.

Abstract

Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) and its homolog D-dopachrome Tautomerase (DDT) have been implicated as drivers of tumor progression across a variety of cancers. Recent evidence suggests MIF as a therapeutic target in immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) resistant melanomas, however clinical evidence of MIF and particularly of DDT remain limited. This retrospective study analyzed 97 patients treated at Yale for melanoma between 2002-2020. Bulk-RNA sequencing of patient tumor samples from the Skin Cancer SPORE Biorepository was used to evaluate for differential gene expression of MIF, DDT, CD74, and selected inflammatory markers, and gene expression was correlated with patient survival outcomes. Our findings revealed a strong correlation between MIF and DDT levels, with no statistically significant difference across common melanoma mutations and subtypes. Improved survival was associated with lower MIF and DDT levels and higher CD74:MIF and CD74:DDT levels. High CD74:DDT and CD74:MIF levels were also associated with enrichment of infiltrating inflammatory cell markers. These data suggest DDT as a novel target in immune therapy. Dual MIF and DDT blockade may provide synergistic responses in patients with melanoma, irrespective of common mutations, and may overcome ICI resistance. These markers may also provide prognostic value for further biomarker development.

Keywords: DDT; MIF; cancer transcriptomics; immune checkpoint inhibition; melanoma.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte* / genetics
  • Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte* / metabolism
  • Biomarkers, Tumor* / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor* / metabolism
  • Female
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II* / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases* / genetics
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases* / metabolism
  • Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors* / genetics
  • Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors* / metabolism
  • Male
  • Melanoma* / drug therapy
  • Melanoma* / genetics
  • Melanoma* / metabolism
  • Melanoma* / mortality
  • Melanoma* / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Skin Neoplasms / mortality
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases
  • Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte
  • invariant chain
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • dopachrome isomerase
  • MIF protein, human
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors