Posttranslational protein modifications as gatekeepers of cancer immunogenicity

Triple-negative breast Cancer (TNBC) presents a formidable challenge in oncology due to its aggressive phenotype and the immunosuppressive nature of its tumor microenvironment (TME). In this issue of the JCI, Zhu, Banerjee, and colleagues investigated the potential of targeting the OTU domain-containing protein 4 (OTUD4)/CD73 axis to mitigate immunosuppression in TNBC. They identified elevated CD73 expression as a hallmark of immunosuppression in TNBC. Notably, the CD73 expression was regulated by OTUD4-mediated posttranslational modifications. Using ST80, a pharmacologic inhibitor of OTUD4, the authors demonstrated the restoration of cytotoxic T cell function and enhanced efficacy of anti-PD-L1 therapy in preclinical models. These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of targeting the OTUD4/CD73 axis in TNBC.