IGF-1 regulates cancer cell immune evasion in prostate cancer

Journal article

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is associated with prostate cancer (PCa) development and lethality and exhibits immunosuppressive properties in other models. We investigated IGF-1’s tumor-intrinsic immune effects in PCa to understand mechanisms underlying its poor immunotherapy response. Transcriptional profiling of human (DU145, 22Rv1) and murine (Myc-CaP) PCa cells revealed that IGF-1 suppresses cytokine signalling, antigen processing and presentation, and additional immune regulatory pathways. We further examined the expression of components involved in cancer cell recognition and immune evasion: the antigen processing machinery and PD-L1 checkpoint. IGF-1 downregulated key elements such as transporters associated with antigen processing (TAPs), endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase-1 (ERAP-1), and Class I β2-microglobulin, without significantly altering Class I allele expression. These changes were associated with reduced surface presentation of Class I complexes on Myc-CaP cells, suggesting disrupted peptide transport, processing, and/or presentation. In contrast, IGF-1 upregulated the immune checkpoint CD274 (PD-L1) via IGF receptor/AKT/ERK-dependent signalling. Analysis of TCGA Firehose Legacy PCa data showed higher CD274 expression in tumors with elevated IGF1 and IGFBP5. Multiplex immunofluorescence in primary PCa confirmed increased PD-L1 in patients with high serum IGF-1, supporting its role in immune evasion. Overall, these findings reveal a novel IGF-1-driven immunosuppressive mechanism that may underlie PCa’s resistance to immunotherapy.

Authors: Nandakumar, AM; Barberis, A; Kim, J; Lang, CR; Mills, JV

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Nature Research
• Journal: Scientific Reports
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 1
• Article number: 38422
• Publication date: 2025-11-03
• Acceptance date: 2025-09-26
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-22288-5
• EISSN: 2045-2322
• ISSN: 2045-2322
• Language: English