Hematopoietic progenitor kinase (HPK1) belongs to the family of Ste20 serine/threonine kinases known as mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase (MAP4K). It is primarily expressed in hematopoietic cells and functions as a negative regulator of T-cell receptor (TCR) and B-cell signaling, serving as an immune checkpoint. Mice with a kinase-dead mutation in HPK1 exhibit enhanced CD8+ T cell activity, increased secretion of cytokines, and potent anti-tumor immune responses, even within an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Consequently, HPK1 emerges as a promising target in the field of immuno-oncology.
While studies involving the knockout of the HP...
