Novel PD-L1/VISTA Dual Inhibitor as Potential Immunotherapy Agents

J Med Chem. 2025 Jan 9;68(1):156-173. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01640. Epub 2024 Dec 28.

Abstract

Inhibiting the activity of immune checkpoint proteins to reignite the antitumor activity of immune cells has emerged as a pivotal strategy. PD-L1 and VISTA, as critical proteins governing immune regulation, are concurrently upregulated under conditions such as hypoxia. Through a rational drug design process, P17, a dual-target inhibitor for PD-L1 and VISTA is identified. This inhibitor blocks the signaling pathways of both PD-L1 and VISTA at the protein and cellular levels, thereby reactivating the antitumor function of T cells. P17 displays encouraging attributes in terms of druggability and safety assessments. Notably, P17 demonstrates superior antitumor efficacy compared to single-target inhibitors at equivalent doses in in vivo experiments. More crucially, P17 significantly enhances the infiltration of immune cells. This study not only validates the effectiveness of a dual-target inhibitor strategy against PD-L1 and VISTA, but also identifies P17 as a promising candidate molecule with significant therapeutic potential.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • B7 Antigens / antagonists & inhibitors
  • B7 Antigens / metabolism
  • B7-H1 Antigen* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • B7-H1 Antigen* / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Immunotherapy* / methods
  • Mice

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • B7 Antigens
  • B7-H1 Antigen
  • CD274 protein, human
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • VSIR protein, human
  • BMS202