Targeting PIM Kinase with PD1 inhibition Improves Immunotherapeutic Anti-Tumor T Cell Response.

Adoptive T cell therapy (ACT) of cancer, which involves the infusion of ex vivo engineered tumor epitope reactive autologous T cells into the tumor-bearing host, is a potential treatment modality for cancer. However, the durable anti-tumor response following ACT is hampered either by loss of effector function or survival of the anti-tumor T cells. Therefore, strategies to improve the persistence and sustain the effector function of the anti-tumor T cells are of immense importance. Given the role of metabolism in determining the therapeutic efficacy of T cells, we hypothesize that inhibition of PIM kinases, a family of serine/threonine kinase that promote cell cycle transition, cell growth, and regulate mTORC1 activity, can improve the potency of T cells in controlling tumor.