ReferenceID 1159

Icaritin inhibits PD-L1 expression by Targeting Protein IκB Kinase α

Eur J Immunol

Icaritin, a small molecule currently being investigated in phase III clinical trials in China (NCT03236636 and NCT03236649) for treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a prenylflavonoid derivative obtain

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Reference Id
1159
Evidence Id
17749
Core Evidence Id
17749
Source Reference Id
2296
Herb2 Reference Id
HBREF003093
Subject Paper Key
HBIN016163_33354776
Pubmed Id
33354776
Doi
10.1002/eji.202048905
Paper Title
Icaritin inhibits PD-L1 expression by Targeting Protein IκB Kinase α
Paper Abstract
Icaritin, a small molecule currently being investigated in phase III clinical trials in China (NCT03236636 and NCT03236649) for treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a prenylflavonoid derivative obtained from the Epimedium genus. Previously, it was found that Icaritin decreased the expression of PD-L1, but its direct molecular targets and the underlying mechanisms have not been identified. In this study, we report the identification of IKK-alpha as the protein target of Icaritin by biotin-based affinity binding assay. The further mutagenesis assay has provided evidence that C46 and C178 in IKK-alpha were essential amino acids for Icaritin binding to IKK-alpha, revealing the binding sites of Icaritin to IKK-alpha for the first time. Functionally, Icaritin inhibited the NF-kappaB signalling pathway by blocking IKK complex formation, which led to decreased nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB p65, and subsequent downregulation of PD-L1 expression in a dose-dependent manner. More importantly, PD-L1-positive patients exhibited longer overall survival upon Icaritin therapy. Finally, Icaritin in combination with checkpoints antibodies, such as alpha-PD-1, has demonstrated much better efficacy than any single therapy in animal models. This is the first report that anticancer effects of Icaritin are mediated, at least in part, by impairing functions of IKK-alpha.
Journal
Eur J Immunol
Publish Year
2021
Experiment Subject
patient
Experiment Type
Cell Experiment
Phenotype Related
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Paper Title Cn
Paper Title En
Icaritin inhibits PD-L1 expression by Targeting Protein IκB Kinase α
Bilingual Status
semi_complete