HLA Class I analysis provides insight into the genetic and epigenetic background of immune evasion in colorectal cancer with high microsatellite instability.

Abstract Background and aims A detailed understanding of antitumor immunity is essential for optimal cancer immune therapy. Although defective mutations in the B2M and HLA-ABC genes, which encode molecules essential for antigen presentation, have been reported in several studies, the effects of these defects on tumor immunity have not been quantitatively evaluated. Methods Mutations in HLA-ABC genes were analyzed in 114 microsatellite instability–high colorectal cancers (MSI-H CRCs) using a long-read sequencer. The data were further analyzed in combination with whole-exome sequencing, transcriptome sequencing, DNA methylation array, and immunohistochemistry data. Results We detected 101 truncating mutations in 57 (50%) tumors and loss of 61 alleles in 21 (18%) tumors. Based on the integrated analysis that enabled the immunological subclassification of MSI-H CRCs, we identified a subtype of tumors in which lymphocyte infiltration was reduced, partly due to reduced expression of HLA-ABC genes in the absence of apparent genetic alterations. Survival of patients with such tumors was shorter than in patients with other tumor types. Paradoxically, tumor mutation burden was highest in the subtype, suggesting that the immunogenic effect of accumulating mutations was counterbalanced by mutations that weakened immunoreactivity. Various genetic and epigenetic alterations, including frameshift mutations in RFX5 and promoter methylation of PSMB8 and HLA-A, converged on reduced expression of HLA-ABC genes. Conclusions Our detailed immunogenomic analysis provides information that will facilitate the improvement and development of cancer immunotherapy.