Targeting ACAT1 for Precision Chemo‐Immunoprevention in Lung Cancer

Abstract

Lung cancer (LC) is a leading cause of cancer‐related deathworldwide, and altered cholesterol metabolism is a hallmark of cancer cells. Acyl‐CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase 1(ACAT1), or Sterol O‐acyltransferase 1 (SOAT1), isa key cholesterol esterification enzyme. Its overexpression promotes tumorprogression by accumulating cholesterol esters. Inhibition of ACAT1 also potentiatesCD8+ T cells medicated anti‐tumor immunity by increasing plasma membranecholesterol level. This study, as the first of its kind, shows the ACAT1/SOAT1 overexpressioncorrelates with poor prognosis in early‐stage lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients.Long‐term treatment with ACAT1 inhibitor avasimibe suppresses tumorigenesis inboth Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) and epidermal growthfactor receptor (EGFR) mutation‐induced LC mouse models without overttoxicity. ACAT1 inhibition reduces tumor cell proliferation, migration, andinvasion and causes G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, while boosting CD8+ T cells'effector function and memory phenotype. Single‐cell RNA sequencing reveals thatACAT1 inhibition downregulates cholesterol biosynthesis and central carbon andnitrogen metabolism pathways in tumor cells, while upregulating genes relatedto oxidative phosphorylation and fatty acid oxidation in CD8+ T cells. Finally, avasimibe improves the efficacy of a human EGFR vaccine in preventing LCprogression. These novel findings suggest potential strategies for cancer preventionand therapy.