Data from Inhibition of METTL3 results in a cell-intrinsic interferon response that enhances anti-tumour immunity

AbstractTherapies that enhance anti-tumour immunity have altered the natural history of many cancers. Consequently, leveraging non-overlapping mechanisms to increase immunogenicity of cancer cells remains a priority. Using a novel enzymatic inhibitor of the RNA methyltransferase, METTL3, we demonstrate a global decrease in N6-methyladenosine (m6A) results in double-stranded RNA formation and a profound cell-intrinsic interferon response. Through unbiased CRISPR screens, we establish dsRNA-sensing and interferon signalling are primary mediators that potentiate T-cell killing of cancer cells following METTL3 inhibition. We show in a range of immunocompetent mouse models that whilst METTL3 inhibition is equally efficacious to anti-PD1 therapy, the combination has far greater pre-clinical activity. Using SPLINTR barcoding, we demonstrate that anti-PD1 and METTL3 inhibition target distinct malignant clones and the combination of these therapies overcome clones insensitive to the single agents. These data provide the molecular and pre-clinical rationale for employing METTL3 inhibitors to promote anti-tumour immunity in the clinic.