Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) hinder antitumor immunity in multiple cancer types. While brequinar (BRQ), an inhibitor of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, shows cytotoxicity in hematological malignancy, it has not yet been adapted to attenuate MDSCs by augmenting bone marrow progenitors in breast cancer. In this issue of the JCI, Colligan et al. demonstrate that BRQ restored terminal differentiation of MDSCs. Using in vivo models of immunotherapy-resistant breast cancer, the authors uncovered a mechanism by which BRQ promoted myeloid cell differentiation by limiting their suppressive function and enhancing the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy. The findings offer insight into the biogenesis of MDSCs, provide an alternative avenue for cancers that remain unresponsive to conventional therapies, and may be extended to future translational studies in patients.
Natalie K. Horvat, Gregory B. Lesinski
The Editorial Board will only consider comments that are deemed relevant and of interest to readers. The Journal will not post data that have not been subjected to peer review; or a comment that is essentially a reiteration of another comment.