Highly selective HPK1 inhibitor NDI-101150 mediates immune cell activation and robust antitumor responses, distinct from immune checkpoint blockade

Background HPK1 (hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1, MAP4K1), an MAP4K serine/threonine kinase family member, is a negative regulator of immune cell function. Genetic HPK1 kinase inactivation or knockout in mice leads to immune cell activation and tumor growth suppression, providing a strong rationale for targeting HPK1 kinase activity as an immuno-oncology therapy. Methods A structure-guided drug design approach was used to identify a highly potent and selective small molecule inhibitor of HPK1 kinase activity, NDI-101150. The effect of NDI-101150 in vitro was evaluated on multiple immune cell types and in multiple syngeneic tumor models in vivo. Results Treatment with NDI-101150 enhanced T-cell activation in immune-suppressive or exhausted conditions, augmented B-cell activation, and upregulated dendritic cell function, including in settings where anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) did not have an effect. These effects translated into significant inhibition of tumor growth in several syngeneic tumor models, including models that are less responsive to anti-PD-1. Importantly, NDI-101150 alone or in combination with anti-PD-1 mediated a highly effective antitumor response on tumor re-challenge, indicating that NDI-101150 induces immune memory against the tumor. Conclusion The data presented here indicate that a small molecule kinase inhibitor of HPK1 results in broad immune cell activation, leading to an efficacious antitumor immune response.