FAK inhibition in ovarian cancer releases omega-3 fatty acids to program CXCL13-producing anti-tumor resident peritoneal macrophages
High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is a lethal malignancy characterized by therapy resistance. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is highly expressed in HGSOC, yet its impact on tumor-immune communication remains incompletely defined. Using three syngeneic ovarian cancer models, we show that FAK inhibition (FAKi) increased macrophage CXCL13 expression and promoted peritoneal B cell infiltration. Combining FAKi with low-dose pegylated doxorubicin and anti-T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT) checkpoint blockade suppressed orthotopic ovarian tumor growth, extended survival, and induced tertiary lymphoid structures. Macrophage lineage factor GATA6 inactivation reduced CXCL13 expression, enhanced FAK-knockout tumor growth, and limited ascites B cell accumulation. Mechanistically, FAKi-treated or FAK-deficient tumor cells release exosomes enriched in omega-3 fatty acids that stimulated macrophage CXCL13 production. Exposure of macrophages to tumor-derived omega-3 lipids or eicosapentaenoic acid induced anti-tumor reprogramming and CXCL13 expression. Together, these findings reveal a tumor lipid-macrophage signaling axis activated by FAKi that supports B cell recruitment and anti-TIGIT immunotherapy.
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Cell ReportsTL;DR
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Funding
UCSD Cancer Center Training Program in Drug DevelopmentNational Institutes of Health FundingV Foundation Grant T2023-018National Science Foundation Grant 2137603National Science Foundation Grant 2138307National Science Foundation Grant 2138286National Science Foundation Grant 2138259National Science Foundation Grant 2138296Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences FundingReprogramming the Tumor Microenvironment in Ovarian CancerUCSD Cancer Center Training Program in Drug DevelopmentSpecialized Cancer Center Support GrantNational Cancer Center Grant CA121938Sigrid Juséliuksen Säätiö Funding