The c.1085A>G genetic variant of CSF1R gene regulates tumor immunity by altering the proliferation, polarization, and function of macrophages

Purpose: <p>Targeting tumor-associated macrophages with CSF-1R inhibition reveals a strategy for cancer therapy. Here, we studied the impact of CSF1R germline genetic variant on CSF-1R signaling and the susceptibility to CSF-1R inhibitors.</p> <p>Experimental designs: </p> <p>CSF1R germline genetic variants were studied in 140 cancer patients. CSF-1R phosphorylation, endocytosis and macrophage polarization were measured as the response to CSF-1 stimulation. Tumor-associated macrophages in surgical specimens and sensitivity to CSF-1R inhibitors were used to determine macrophage function.</p> <p>Results:</p> <p>A CSF1R c.1085A>G genetic variant causing the change of histidine to arginine in the domain of receptor dimerization was identified as a high allele frequency in Eastern Asian population. Cancer patients with this variant allele had less M2-like tumor-associated macrophages accompanied by low VEGF expression in tumor tissues. Importantly, CSF1R genetic variant was significantly associated with disease-free survival in colorectal, endometrial and ovarian cancer. In terms of differentiation, macrophages with CSF1R c.1085A>G genetic variant displayed a refractory response to CSF-1 stimulation and macrophage survival was sensitive to CSF-1R inhibitors with IC₅₀ of 0.1-1 nM range. On contrast, CSF-1 induced a prominent phosphorylation and rapid endocytosis of CSF-1R leading to an M2-like dominant polarization in macrophages with CSF1R c.1085 genotype A_A, in which CSF-1R inhibitors of PLX3397, BLZ945, and GW2580 inhibited macrophage survival with IC₅₀ of 10-100 nM range.</p> <p>Conclusions: </p> <p>The CSF1R c.1085A>G genetic variant regulates tumor immunity by altering the polarization and function of macrophages. This genetic variant confers the sensitivity to CSF-1R inhibitors, implying as a biomarker in targeting CSF-1R signaling for cancer treatment.

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