P21-positive senescent stromal cells promote prostate cancer immune suppression and progression that can be reversed by senolytic therapy

Abstract

Cellular senescence is a well-established tumor-suppressive cell cycle arrest program. However, chronic inflammation through the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) can alternatively drive immune suppression and cancer progression. Using prostate cancer patient samples and murine models, we find p16+ and p21+ senescent cells accumulate throughout malignant progression and associate with immune suppression. Single cell sequencing revealed p16 and p21 mark distinct epithelial and stromal senescent populations, with p21+ non-tumor cells expressing the highest SASP. p21+ stromal cell removal blocked the SASP to reverse immune suppression and slow tumor growth. Senolytic BCL-xL inhibitor treatment could clear p21+ stromal senescent cells, reactivating anti-tumor CD8+ T cell immunity and inhibiting prostate tumor progression in mice. Suppression of BCL-xL or p21 also potentiated anti-PD-1 ICB in preclinical prostate cancer models. Our findings demonstrate that targeting p21+ senescent stromal populations can yield therapeutic benefits in advanced prostate cancer through activating anti-tumor immunity and enhancing immunotherapy outcomes.