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Proximity-guided graph learning reveals tumour-associated proximity antigens

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Why This Matters

The paper introduces "proximity-guided graph learning" to identify tumour-associated proximity antigens — pairs or clusters of surface proteins that sit close together specifically on cancer cells rather than single markers. That matters because a shortage of truly tumour-exclusive antigens is the main bottleneck for CAR-T, T-cell engagers and antibody-drug conjugates, and proximity-based targeting could widen the therapeutic window. The work is validated across a broad panel of cancer cell lines and normal primary epithelial cells.

Key Takeaways

General cell culture

The following cancer cell lines were purchased from ATCC: A431 (CRL-1555), A549 (CRM-CCL-185), AGS (CRL-1739), BT549 (HTB-122), BXPC3 (CRL-1687), CACO2 (HTB-37), CAPAN2 (HTB-80), CAOV3 (HTB-75), HCC1954 (CRL-2338), HCC4006 (CRL-2871), HCC827 (CRL-2868), HCT116 (CCL-247), HPAC (CRL-2119), HS578T (HTB-126), HT29 (HTB-38), KatoIII (HTB-103), LS123 (CCL-255), MDAMB468 (HTB-132), NCIH1563 (CRL-5875), NCIH1650 (CRL-5883), NCIH1975 (CRL-5908), NCIH226 (CRL-5826), NCIH358 (CRL-5807), NCIH441 (HTB-174), NCIN87 (CRL-5822), PC3 (CRL-1435), SKBR3 (HTB-30), SKMES1 (HTB-58), SW48 (CCL-231) and SW900 (HTB-59). The following cells were purchased from Accegen: CALU1 (ABC-TC0110), EBC1 (ABC-TC0170) and MKN7 (ABC-TC0688).

The media for all cancer cells were purchased from ATCC and include RPMI-1640 (30-2001), DMEM (30-2002), EMEM (30-2003), F-12K (30-2004), IMDM (30-2005) and McCoy’s 5A (30-2007). All media were supplemented with FBS (10% or 20% final concentration as according to cell line supplier’s recommendation, Thermo Scientific, 10082147) and penicillin/streptomycin (1% final concentration from a 100× stock, Thermo Scientific, 15140163). BT549 cells were supplemented with insulin (Thermo Scientific, 12585-014) at 0.023 U ml−1. HS578T was supplemented with insulin at 0.01 mg ml−1. Cell culture media were filter-sterilized via 0.2 µm Nalgene Rapid-Flow Sterile Disposable Filter Units with PES Membrane, 500 ml capacity (Thermo Scientific, 566-0020) or 1,000 ml capacity (Thermo Scientific, 567-0020). Cells were grown in manufacturer’s recommended media with the following exceptions: MDA-MB-468 cells were grown in DMEM, HPAC in IMDM, SW48 in McCoy’s 5A and SW900 in RPMI-containing medium.

Primary bronchial/tracheal epithelial cells (PCS-300-010), epidermal keratinocytes (PCS-200-011) and cervical epithelial cells (PCS-480-011) were purchased from ATCC. Primary bronchial/tracheal epithelial cells were grown in airway epithelial cell basal medium (ATCC, PCS-300-030) supplemented with a bronchial epithelial cell growth kit (ATCC, PCS-300-040). Primary epidermal keratinocytes were grown in dermal cell basal medium (ATCC, PCS-200-030) supplemented with keratinocyte growth kit (ATCC, PCS-200-040). Primary cervical epithelial cells were grown in cervical epithelial cell basal medium (ATCC, PCS-480-032) supplemented with cervical epithelial growth kit (ATCC, PCS-480-042).

All cells were grown at 37 °C with 5% CO 2 in 75 cm2 (Corning, 430641U) or 150 cm2 (Corning, 430825) vented cap sterile cell culture flasks or 15 cm plates (Thermo Scientific, 150468).

Method for generating the osimertinib-resistant HCC827 cells

HCC827 cells were cultured in 500 nM osimertinib. The medium and osimertinib were replaced every 3–4 days. Once the cells began to double in 500 nM osimertinib (around day 35) the concentration was increased to 1 µM. Cells were allowed to expand and then frozen back. Resistance to osimertinib was confirmed in a dose–response assay.

General synthetic information

Riboflavin tetraacetate (RFT) photocatalyst utilized in these studies (Supplementary Fig. 7) was synthesized as previously described14. The iridium photocatalyst and biotin-containing diazirine probe (Ar-PEG3-Biotin) utilized in these studies (Supplementary Fig. 7) was synthesized as previously described13.

Preparation of secondary antibody–photocatalyst conjugate

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