Abstract 6: Computationally assisted target screening of STING agonist for immunologic therapy

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is a receptor protein involved in the propagation of innate immune sensing of cytosolic DNA through the production of IFN-β. Mechanistic studies have shown IFN-β production within the tumor microenvironment can result in activation of tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell immunity that can lead to tumor regression [1, 2]. STING activation by STING agonists should result in innate T-cell mediated anti-tumor immunity in the tumor microenvironment and have significant potential as a cancer therapeutic. Conversely, inhibition of STING would lead to a decreased production of IFN-β which could have implications in the treatment of autoimmune disease such as lupus erythematosus. MD equilibrated crystal structures for human HAQ, REF, and WT alleles were clustered to find optimal conformations for diverse chemical library screening. Novel consensus docking protocols utilizing rigid receptor, induced fit, and quantum polarized ligand docking were applied for quantifying and refining proposed binding mechanisms of STING isoforms. Models for STING agonists and antagonists were developed. From directed virtual screening, a novel low-molecular-weight organic molecule (GF3-002) that is not based on a cyclic dinucleotide was found as a potential STING activator and is currently under investigation. GF3-002 and analogs were synthesized and structures were confirmed with LCMS and proton NMR. Both the HAQ and WT alleles, representing 78.3% of the human population were tested against compounds and controls. 2,3-cGAMP and DMSO were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Microscale thermophoresis and SPR confirmed binding of GF3-002 to WT STING CTD with a kD of 3.2 ± 1.7 μM. IFN-dependent luciferase expression was measured by luminescence in THP-1 monocytic leukemia cells and found an EC50 of 29 ± 1.6 μM, compared to the native ligand 2,3-cGAMP EC50 of 42 ± 4.1 μM. Finally, qPCR was used quantify production of IFN-β via treatment of dendritic cells with GF3-002. 1. Sali, Characterization of a Novel Human-Specific STING Agonist that Elicits Antiviral Activity Against Emerging Alphaviruses. 2017. 2. Corrales, L., et al., Direct activation of STING in the tumor microenvironment leads to potent and systemic tumor regression and immunity. Cell reports, 2015. 11(7): p. 1018-1030. Citation Format: Grace A. Binder, Christine S. Gambino, Anna Kharitonova, Rainer S. Metcalf, Kenyon G. Daniel, Wayne C. Guida. Computationally assisted target screening of STING agonist for immunologic therapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 6.