Integrative -omics and HLA-ligandomics analysis to identify novel drug targets for ccRCC immunotherapy

ABSTRACT: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the dominant subtype of renal cancer. With currently available therapies, cure of advanced and metastatic ccRCC is achieved only in rare cases. Here, we developed a workflow integrating different -omics technologies to identify ccRCC-specific HLA-presented peptides as potential drug targets for ccRCC immunotherapy. We analyzed frequent ccRCC-specific peptides by MS-based HLA ligandomics of 55 ccRCC tumors (cohort 1), paired non-tumor renal tissues and 158 benign tissues from other organs. Pathways enriched in ccRCC compared to its cell type of origin were identified by transcriptome and gene set enrichment analyses in 51 tumor tissues of the same cohort. To retrieve a list of candidate target genes with involvement in ccRCC pathogenesis, ccRCC-specific pathway genes were intersected with the source genes of tumor-exclusive peptides. The candidates were validated in an independent cohort from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA KIRC, n=452), yielding 113 candidate genes. DNA methylation (TCGA KIRC, n=273), and somatic mutations (TCGA KIRC, n=392), as well as correlations with tumor metabolites (cohort 1, n=30) and immune-oncological markers (cohort 1, n=37) were analyzed to refine regulatory and functional involvements of candidates. Immunogenicity analysis identified candidate epitopes able to activate native CD8+ T cells. Functional analysis of EGLN3, a candidate with frequent ccRCC-specific immunogenic peptides, revealed possible tumor-promoting functions. Integration of HLA ligandomics, transcriptomics, genetic and epigenetic data leads to the identification of novel functionally relevant therapeutic targets for ccRCC immunotherapy. Validation of the identified targets is now mandatory to expand the treatment landscape of ccRCC.

INSTRUMENT(S): LTQ Orbitrap

ORGANISM(S): Homo Sapiens (human)

TISSUE(S): Kidney

SUBMITTER: Annika Nelde  

LAB HEAD: Stefan Stevanović

PROVIDER: PXD017149 | Pride | 2020-04-03

REPOSITORIES: Pride