DUX4 Suppresses MHC Class I to Promote Cancer Immune Evasion and Resistance to Checkpoint Blockade (Developmental Cell)

Chew and Campbell et al. report that DUX4, a preimplantation embryonic transcription factor that is normally silenced in somatic tissues, is re-expressed in many cancers. DUX4 suppresses anti-cancer immune activity by blocking interferon-?-mediated induction of MHC class I and is associated with reduced efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy.