51
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Hou P, Wang YA. Conquering oncogenic KRAS and its bypass mechanisms. Theranostics 2022; 12:5691-5709. [PMID: 35966590 PMCID: PMC9373815 DOI: 10.7150/thno.71260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of KRAS signaling is common in cancer, which has catalyzed heroic drug development efforts to target KRAS directly or its downstream signaling effectors. Recent works have yielded novel small molecule drugs with promising preclinical and clinical activities. Yet, no matter how a cancer is addicted to a specific target - cancer's genetic and biological plasticity fashions a variety of resistance mechanisms as a fait accompli, limiting clinical benefit of targeted interventions. Knowledge of these mechanisms may inform combination strategies to attack both oncogenic KRAS and subsequent bypass mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingping Hou
- Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA.,Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA.,Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA.,Lead contact
| | - Y Alan Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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52
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Jacobs F, Cani M, Malapelle U, Novello S, Napoli VM, Bironzo P. Targeting KRAS in NSCLC: Old Failures and New Options for "Non-G12c" Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6332. [PMID: 34944952 PMCID: PMC8699276 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene Homolog (KRAS) gene mutations are among the most common driver alterations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Despite their high frequency, valid treatment options are still lacking, mainly due to an intrinsic complexity of both the protein structure and the downstream pathway. The increasing knowledge about different mutation subtypes and co-mutations has paved the way to several promising therapeutic strategies. Despite the best results so far having been obtained in patients harbouring KRAS exon 2 p.G12C mutation, even the treatment landscape of non-p.G12C KRAS mutation positive patients is predicted to change soon. This review provides a comprehensive and critical overview of ongoing studies into NSCLC patients with KRAS mutations other than p.G12C and discusses future scenarios that will hopefully change the story of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Jacobs
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, AOU San Luigi Gonzaga, 10043 Turin, Italy; (F.J.); (M.C.); (S.N.); (V.M.N.)
| | - Massimiliano Cani
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, AOU San Luigi Gonzaga, 10043 Turin, Italy; (F.J.); (M.C.); (S.N.); (V.M.N.)
| | - Umberto Malapelle
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Silvia Novello
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, AOU San Luigi Gonzaga, 10043 Turin, Italy; (F.J.); (M.C.); (S.N.); (V.M.N.)
| | - Valerio Maria Napoli
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, AOU San Luigi Gonzaga, 10043 Turin, Italy; (F.J.); (M.C.); (S.N.); (V.M.N.)
| | - Paolo Bironzo
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, AOU San Luigi Gonzaga, 10043 Turin, Italy; (F.J.); (M.C.); (S.N.); (V.M.N.)
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Fanini F, Bandini E, Plousiou M, Carloni S, Wise P, Neviani P, Murtadha M, Foca F, Fabbri F, Vannini I, Fabbri M. MicroRNA-16 Restores Sensitivity to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Outperforms MEK Inhibitors in KRAS-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:13357. [PMID: 34948154 PMCID: PMC8705178 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Chemotherapy, the treatment of choice in non-operable cases, achieves a dismal success rate, raising the need for new therapeutic options. In about 25% of NSCLC, the activating mutations of the KRAS oncogene define a subclass that cannot benefit from tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The tumor suppressor miR-16 is downregulated in many human cancers, including NSCLC. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate miR-16 treatment to restore the TKI sensitivity and compare its efficacy to MEK inhibitors in KRAS-mutated NSCLC. METHODS We performed in vitro and in vivo studies to investigate whether miR-16 could be exploited to overcome TKI resistance in KRAS-mutated NSCLC. We had three goals: first, to identify the KRAS downstream effectors targeted by mir-16, second, to study the effects of miR-16 restoration on TKI resistance in KRAS-mutated NSCLC both in vitro and in vivo, and finally, to compare miR-16 and the MEK inhibitor selumetinib in reducing KRAS-mutated NSCLC growth in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS We demonstrated that miR-16 directly targets the three KRAS downstream effectors MAPK3, MAP2K1, and CRAF in NSCLC, restoring the sensitivity to erlotinib in KRAS-mutated NSCLC both in vitro and in vivo. We also provided evidence that the miR-16-erlotinib regimen is more effective than the selumetinib-erlotinib combination in KRAS-mutated NSCLC. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support the biological preclinical rationale for using miR-16 in combination with erlotinib in the treatment of NSCLC with KRAS-activating mutations.
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MESH Headings
- A549 Cells
- Animals
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/therapy
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Female
- Humans
- Lung Neoplasms/genetics
- Lung Neoplasms/metabolism
- Lung Neoplasms/pathology
- Lung Neoplasms/therapy
- MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors
- MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases/genetics
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- MicroRNAs/biosynthesis
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- Mutation
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/metabolism
- RNA, Neoplasm/biosynthesis
- RNA, Neoplasm/genetics
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Fanini
- Immuno-Gene Therapy Factory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (F.F.); (S.C.)
| | - Erika Bandini
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (E.B.); (M.P.); (F.F.); (I.V.)
| | - Meropi Plousiou
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (E.B.); (M.P.); (F.F.); (I.V.)
| | - Silvia Carloni
- Immuno-Gene Therapy Factory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (F.F.); (S.C.)
| | - Petra Wise
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany;
| | - Paolo Neviani
- Extracellular Vesicle Core, The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA;
| | - Mariam Murtadha
- Judy and Bernard Briskin Center for Multiple Myeloma Research, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA;
| | - Flavia Foca
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy;
| | - Francesco Fabbri
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (E.B.); (M.P.); (F.F.); (I.V.)
| | - Ivan Vannini
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (E.B.); (M.P.); (F.F.); (I.V.)
| | - Muller Fabbri
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA
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54
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Klomp JE, Lee YS, Goodwin CM, Papke B, Klomp JA, Waters AM, Stalnecker CA, DeLiberty JM, Drizyte-Miller K, Yang R, Diehl JN, Yin HH, Pierobon M, Baldelli E, Ryan MB, Li S, Peterson J, Smith AR, Neal JT, McCormick AK, Kuo CJ, Counter CM, Petricoin EF, Cox AD, Bryant KL, Der CJ. CHK1 protects oncogenic KRAS-expressing cells from DNA damage and is a target for pancreatic cancer treatment. Cell Rep 2021; 37:110060. [PMID: 34852220 PMCID: PMC8665414 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We apply genetic screens to delineate modulators of KRAS mutant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) sensitivity to ERK inhibitor treatment, and we identify components of the ATR-CHK1 DNA damage repair (DDR) pathway. Pharmacologic inhibition of CHK1 alone causes apoptotic growth suppression of both PDAC cell lines and organoids, which correlates with loss of MYC expression. CHK1 inhibition also activates ERK and AMPK and increases autophagy, providing a mechanistic basis for increased efficacy of concurrent CHK1 and ERK inhibition and/or autophagy inhibition with chloroquine. To assess how CHK1 inhibition-induced ERK activation promotes PDAC survival, we perform a CRISPR-Cas9 loss-of-function screen targeting direct/indirect ERK substrates and identify RIF1. A key component of non-homologous end joining repair, RIF1 suppression sensitizes PDAC cells to CHK1 inhibition-mediated apoptotic growth suppression. Furthermore, ERK inhibition alone decreases RIF1 expression and phenocopies RIF1 depletion. We conclude that concurrent DDR suppression enhances the efficacy of ERK and/or autophagy inhibitors in KRAS mutant PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Klomp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Ye S Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Craig M Goodwin
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Björn Papke
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jeff A Klomp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Andrew M Waters
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Clint A Stalnecker
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jonathan M DeLiberty
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kristina Drizyte-Miller
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Runying Yang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - J Nathaniel Diehl
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Hongwei H Yin
- Departments of Cancer and Cell Biology, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Mariaelena Pierobon
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Elisa Baldelli
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Meagan B Ryan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Siqi Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Jackson Peterson
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Amber R Smith
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - James T Neal
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Aaron K McCormick
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Calvin J Kuo
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Christopher M Counter
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Emanuel F Petricoin
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Adrienne D Cox
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kirsten L Bryant
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Channing J Der
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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55
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Smith AE, Ferraro E, Safonov A, Morales CB, Lahuerta EJA, Li Q, Kulick A, Ross D, Solit DB, de Stanchina E, Reis-Filho J, Rosen N, Arribas J, Razavi P, Chandarlapaty S. HER2 + breast cancers evade anti-HER2 therapy via a switch in driver pathway. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6667. [PMID: 34795269 PMCID: PMC8602441 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27093-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of HER2 in HER2-amplified breast cancer has been remarkably successful clinically, as demonstrated by the efficacy of HER-kinase inhibitors and HER2-antibody treatments. Whilst resistance to HER2 inhibition is common in the metastatic setting, the specific programs downstream of HER2 driving resistance are not established. Through genomic profiling of 733 HER2-amplified breast cancers, we identify enrichment of somatic alterations that promote MEK/ERK signaling in metastatic tumors with shortened progression-free survival on anti-HER2 therapy. These mutations, including NF1 loss and ERBB2 activating mutations, are sufficient to mediate resistance to FDA-approved HER2 kinase inhibitors including tucatinib and neratinib. Moreover, resistant tumors lose AKT dependence while undergoing a dramatic sensitization to MEK/ERK inhibition. Mechanistically, this driver pathway switch is a result of MEK-dependent activation of CDK2 kinase. These results establish genetic activation of MAPK as a recurrent mechanism of anti-HER2 therapy resistance that may be effectively combated with MEK/ERK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison E Smith
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Emanuela Ferraro
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Breast Medicine Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Anton Safonov
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Breast Medicine Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | | | | | - Qing Li
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Amanda Kulick
- Antitumor Assessment Core, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Dara Ross
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - David B Solit
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Elisa de Stanchina
- Antitumor Assessment Core, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Jorge Reis-Filho
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Neal Rosen
- Molecular Pharmacology and Chemistry Program and Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Joaquín Arribas
- Preclinical Research Program, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pedram Razavi
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Breast Medicine Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Sarat Chandarlapaty
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- Breast Medicine Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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56
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Garcia N, Del Pozo V, Yohe ME, Goodwin CM, Shackleford TJ, Wang L, Baxi K, Chen Y, Rogojina AT, Zimmerman SM, Peer CJ, Figg WD, Ignatius MS, Wood KC, Houghton PJ, Vaseva AV. Vertical Inhibition of the RAF-MEK-ERK Cascade Induces Myogenic Differentiation, Apoptosis and Tumor Regression in H/NRAS Q61X-mutant Rhabdomyosarcoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 21:170-183. [PMID: 34737198 PMCID: PMC8742779 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-21-0194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Oncogenic RAS signaling is an attractive target for fusion-negative rhabdomyosarcoma (FN-RMS). Our study validates the role of the ERK MAPK effector pathway in mediating RAS dependency in a panel of H/NRASQ61X-mutant RMS cells and correlates in vivo efficacy of the MEK inhibitor trametinib with pharmacodynamics of ERK activity. A screen is used to identify trametinib-sensitizing targets and combinations are evaluated in cells and tumor xenografts. We find that the ERK MAPK pathway is central to H/NRASQ61X-dependency in RMS cells, however there is poor in vivo response to clinically relevant exposures with trametinib, which correlates with inefficient suppression of ERK activity. CRISPR screening points to vertical inhibition of the RAF-MEK-ERK cascade by co-suppression of MEK and either CRAF or ERK. CRAF is central to rebound pathway activation following MEK or ERK inhibition. Concurrent CRAF suppression and MEK or ERK inhibition, or concurrent pan-RAF and MEK/ERK inhibition (pan-RAFi + MEKi/ERKi), or concurrent MEK and ERK inhibition (MEKi + ERKi) all synergistically block ERK activity and induce myogenic differentiation and apoptosis. In vivo assessment of pan-RAFi + ERKi or MEKi + ERKi potently suppress growth of H/NRASQ61X RMS tumor xenografts, with pan-RAFi + ERKi being more effective and better tolerated. We conclude that CRAF reactivation limits the activity of single agent MEK/ERK inhibitors in FN-RMS. Vertical targeting of the RAF-MEK-ERK cascade, and particularly co-targeting of CRAF and MEK or ERK, or the combination of pan-RAF inhibitors with MEK or ERK inhibitors, have synergistic activity and potently suppress H/NRASQ61X-mutant RMS tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Craig M Goodwin
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | | | - Long Wang
- Cancer Therapy & Research Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center
| | - Kunal Baxi
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, UTHSCSA
| | - Yidong Chen
- Department of Population Health Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
| | | | | | - Cody J Peer
- Clinical Pharmacology Program, National Cancer Institute
| | - William D Figg
- Clinical Pharmacology Program and Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute
| | | | - Kris C Wood
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University
| | - Peter J Houghton
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
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57
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Pashirzad M, Khorasanian R, Fard MM, Arjmand MH, Langari H, Khazaei M, Soleimanpour S, Rezayi M, Ferns GA, Hassanian SM, Avan A. The Therapeutic Potential of MAPK/ERK Inhibitors in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2021; 21:932-943. [PMID: 34732116 DOI: 10.2174/1568009621666211103113339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The MAPK/ERK signaling pathway regulates cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation, angiogenesis, metastasis and drug resistance. Mutations and up-regulation of components of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, as well as over-activation of this critical signaling pathway, are frequently observed in colorectal carcinomas. Targeting the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, using specific pharmacological inhibitors, elicits potent anti-tumor effects, supporting the therapeutic potential of these inhibitors in the treatment of CRC. Several drugs have recently been developed for the inhibition of the MEK/ERK pathway in preclinical and clinical settings, such as MEK162 and MK-2206. MEK1/2 inhibitors demonstrate promising efficacy and anticancer activity for the treatment of this malignancy. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of CRC and the potential clinical value of synthetic inhibitors of this pathway in preventing CRC progression for a better understanding, and hence, better management of colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehran Pashirzad
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad. Iran
| | - Reihaneh Khorasanian
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad. Iran
| | - Maryam Mahmoudi Fard
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad. Iran
| | - Mohammad-Hassan Arjmand
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord. Iran
| | - Hadis Langari
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord. Iran
| | - Majid Khazaei
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad. Iran
| | - Saman Soleimanpour
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad. Iran
| | - Majid Rezayi
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord. Iran
| | - Gordon A Ferns
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Washington University, School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO. United States
| | - Seyed Mahdi Hassanian
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad. Iran
| | - Amir Avan
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad. Iran
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58
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Nofal M, Wang T, Yang L, Jankowski CSR, Hsin-Jung Li S, Han S, Parsons L, Frese AN, Gitai Z, Anthony TG, Wühr M, Sabatini DM, Rabinowitz JD. GCN2 adapts protein synthesis to scavenging-dependent growth. Cell Syst 2021; 13:158-172.e9. [PMID: 34706266 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2021.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer cells with limited access to free amino acids can grow by scavenging extracellular protein. In a murine model of pancreatic cancer, we performed a genome-wide CRISPR screen for genes required for scavenging-dependent growth. The screen identified key mediators of macropinocytosis, peripheral lysosome positioning, endosome-lysosome fusion, lysosomal protein catabolism, and translational control. The top hit was GCN2, a kinase that suppresses translation initiation upon amino acid depletion. Using isotope tracers, we show that GCN2 is not required for protein scavenging. Instead, GCN2 prevents ribosome stalling but without slowing protein synthesis; cells still use all of the limiting amino acids as they emerge from lysosomes. GCN2 also adapts gene expression to the nutrient-poor environment, reorienting protein synthesis away from ribosomes and toward lysosomal hydrolases, such as cathepsin L. GCN2, cathepsin L, and the other genes identified in the screen are potential therapeutic targets in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Nofal
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Tim Wang
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Lifeng Yang
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Connor S R Jankowski
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Sophia Hsin-Jung Li
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Seunghun Han
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Lance Parsons
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Alexander N Frese
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Zemer Gitai
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Tracy G Anthony
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Martin Wühr
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - David M Sabatini
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Joshua D Rabinowitz
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Princeton Branch, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA.
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59
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Li C, Vides A, Kim D, Xue J, Zhao Y, Lito P. The G protein signaling regulator RGS3 enhances the GTPase activity of KRAS. Science 2021; 374:197-201. [PMID: 34618566 PMCID: PMC9295010 DOI: 10.1126/science.abf1730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Recently reported to be effective in patients with lung cancer, KRASG12C inhibitors bind to the inactive, or guanosine diphosphate (GDP)–bound, state of the oncoprotein and require guanosine triphosphate (GTP) hydrolysis for inhibition. However, KRAS mutations prevent the catalytic arginine of GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) from enhancing an otherwise slow hydrolysis rate. If KRAS mutants are indeed insensitive to GAPs, it is unclear how KRASG12C hydrolyzes sufficient GTP to allow inactive state–selective inhibition. Here, we show that RGS3, a GAP previously known for regulating G protein–coupled receptors, can also enhance the GTPase activity of mutant and wild-type KRAS proteins. Our study reveals an unexpected mechanism that inactivates KRAS and explains the vulnerability to emerging clinically effective therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanchuan Li
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer, New York, NY 10065
| | - Alberto Vides
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer, New York, NY 10065
| | - Dongsung Kim
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer, New York, NY 10065
| | - Jenny Xue
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer, New York, NY 10065
- Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program, Weill Cornell Medical College and Rockefeller University and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065
| | - Yulei Zhao
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer, New York, NY 10065
| | - Piro Lito
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer, New York, NY 10065
- Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program, Weill Cornell Medical College and Rockefeller University and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065
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60
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Gonzalez-Del Pino GL, Li K, Park E, Schmoker AM, Ha BH, Eck MJ. Allosteric MEK inhibitors act on BRAF/MEK complexes to block MEK activation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2107207118. [PMID: 34470822 PMCID: PMC8433572 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2107207118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The RAF/MEK/ERK pathway is central to the control of cell physiology, and its dysregulation is associated with many cancers. Accordingly, the proteins constituting this pathway, including MEK1/2 (MEK), have been subject to intense drug discovery and development efforts. Allosteric MEK inhibitors (MEKi) exert complex effects on RAF/MEK/ERK pathway signaling and are employed clinically in combination with BRAF inhibitors in malignant melanoma. Although mechanisms and structures of MEKi bound to MEK have been described for many of these compounds, recent studies suggest that RAF/MEK complexes, rather than free MEK, should be evaluated as the target of MEKi. Here, we describe structural and biochemical studies of eight structurally diverse, clinical-stage MEKi to better understand their mechanism of action on BRAF/MEK complexes. We find that all of these agents bind in the MEK allosteric site in BRAF/MEK complexes, in which they stabilize the MEK activation loop in a conformation that is resistant to BRAF-mediated dual phosphorylation required for full activation of MEK. We also show that allosteric MEK inhibitors act most potently on BRAF/MEK complexes rather than on free active MEK, further supporting the notion that a BRAF/MEK complex is the physiologically relevant pharmacologic target for this class of compounds. Our findings provide a conceptual and structural framework for rational development of RAF-selective MEK inhibitors as an avenue to more effective and better-tolerated agents targeting this pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo L Gonzalez-Del Pino
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Kunhua Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Eunyoung Park
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Anna M Schmoker
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Byung Hak Ha
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Michael J Eck
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215;
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
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61
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Kendre G, Marhenke S, Lorz G, Becker D, Reineke-Plaaß T, Poth T, Murugesan K, Kühnel F, Woller N, Wirtz RM, Pich A, Marquardt JU, Saborowski M, Vogel A, Saborowski A. The Co-mutational Spectrum Determines the Therapeutic Response in Murine FGFR2 Fusion-Driven Cholangiocarcinoma. Hepatology 2021; 74:1357-1370. [PMID: 33709535 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most common primary liver cancer and a highly lethal malignancy. Chemotherapeutic options are limited, but a considerable subset of patients harbors genetic lesions for which targeted agents exist. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) fusions belong to the most frequent and therapeutically relevant alterations in ICC, and the first FGFR inhibitor was recently approved for the treatment of patients with progressed, fusion-positive ICC. Response rates of up to 35% indicate that FGFR-targeted therapies are beneficial in many but not all patients. Thus far, no established biomarkers exist that predict resistance or response to FGFR-targeted therapies in patients with ICC. APPROACH AND RESULTS In this study, we use an autochthonous murine model of ICC to demonstrate that FGFR2 fusions are potent drivers of malignant transformation. Furthermore, we provide preclinical evidence that the co-mutational spectrum acts not only as an accelerator of tumor development, but also modifies the response to targeted FGFR inhibitors. Using pharmacologic approaches and RNA-interference technology, we delineate that Kirsten rat sarcoma oncogene (KRAS)-activated mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling causes primary resistance to FGFR inhibitors in FGFR2 fusion-positive ICC. The translational relevance is supported by the observation that a subset of human FGFR2 fusion patients exhibits transcriptome profiles reminiscent of KRAS mutant ICC. Moreover, we demonstrate that combination therapy has the potential to overcome primary resistance and to sensitize tumors to FGFR inhibition. CONCLUSIONS Our work highlights the importance of the co-mutational spectrum as a significant modifier of response in tumors that harbor potent oncogenic drivers. A better understanding of the genetic underpinnings of resistance will be pivotal to improve biomarker-guided patient selection and to design clinically relevant combination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gajanan Kendre
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Silke Marhenke
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Georgina Lorz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Diana Becker
- Department of Medicine I, Lichtenberg Research Group, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Tanja Poth
- Center for Model System and Comparative Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Florian Kühnel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Norman Woller
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Pich
- Core Unit Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jens U Marquardt
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Michael Saborowski
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Arndt Vogel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anna Saborowski
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Searching for treatments for non-G12C-KRAS mutant cancers. Br J Cancer 2021; 125:625-626. [PMID: 33859342 PMCID: PMC8405631 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01357-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
KRAS mutations drive a wide variety of cancers. Drugs targeting the protein product of KRASG12C mutations are currently being evaluated show preliminary efficacy in clinical trials. A clinical trial of VS-6766, a dual RAF-MEK inhibitor, has reported early single agent activity in non-G12C mutated KRAS driven cancers.
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63
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KRASG12C inhibitor: combing for combination. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 48:2691-2701. [PMID: 33242077 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Oncogenic mutation in KRAS is one of the most common alterations in human cancer. After decades of extensive research and unsuccessful drug discovery programs, therapeutic targeting of KRAS mutant tumour is at an exciting juncture. The discovery of mutation-specific inhibitors of KRASG12C and early positive findings from clinical trials has raised the hope of finally having a drug to treat a significant segment of KRAS mutant cancer patients. Crucially, it has also re-energized the RAS field to look beyond G12C mutation and find new innovative targeting opportunities. However, the early clinical trial data also indicates that there is significant variation in response among patients and that monotherapy treatment with KRASG12C inhibitors (G12Ci) alone is unlikely to be sufficient to elicit a sustained response. Understanding the molecular mechanism of variation in patient response and identifying possible combination opportunities, which could be exploited to achieve durable and significant responses and delay emergence of resistance, is central to the success of G12Ci therapy. Given the specificity of G12Ci, toxicity is expected to be minimal. Therefore, it might be possible to combine G12Ci with other targeted agents which have previously been explored to tackle KRAS mutant cancer but deemed too toxic, e.g. MEK inhibitor. Ongoing clinical trials will shed light on clinical resistance to G12C inhibitors, however extensive work is already ongoing to identify the best combination partners. This review provides an update on combination opportunities which could be explored to maximize the benefit of this new exciting drug.
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64
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Heppner DE, Eck MJ. A structural perspective on targeting the RTK/Ras/MAP kinase pathway in cancer. Protein Sci 2021; 30:1535-1553. [PMID: 34008902 PMCID: PMC8284588 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Precision oncology is premised on identifying and drugging proteins and pathways that drive tumorigenesis or are required for survival of tumor cells. Across diverse cancer types, the signaling pathway emanating from receptor tyrosine kinases on the cell surface to RAS and the MAP kinase pathway is the most frequent target of oncogenic mutations, and key proteins in this signaling axis including EGFR, SHP2, RAS, BRAF, and MEK have long been a focus in cancer drug discovery. In this review, we provide an overview of historical and recent efforts to develop inhibitors targeting these nodes with an emphasis on the role that an understanding of protein structure and regulation has played in inhibitor discovery and characterization. Beyond its well-established role in structure-based drug design, structural biology has revealed mechanisms of allosteric regulation, distinct effects of activating oncogenic mutations, and other vulnerabilities that have opened new avenues in precision cancer drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E. Heppner
- Department of ChemistryUniversity at Buffalo, State University of New YorkBuffaloNew YorkUSA
- Department of Pharmacology and TherapeuticsRoswell Park Comprehensive Cancer CenterBuffaloNew YorkUSA
| | - Michael J. Eck
- Department of Cancer BiologyDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular PharmacologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
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65
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Chen K, Zhang Y, Qian L, Wang P. Emerging strategies to target RAS signaling in human cancer therapy. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:116. [PMID: 34301278 PMCID: PMC8299671 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01127-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
RAS mutations (HRAS, NRAS, and KRAS) are among the most common oncogenes, and around 19% of patients with cancer harbor RAS mutations. Cells harboring RAS mutations tend to undergo malignant transformation and exhibit malignant phenotypes. The mutational status of RAS correlates with the clinicopathological features of patients, such as mucinous type and poor differentiation, as well as response to anti-EGFR therapies in certain types of human cancers. Although RAS protein had been considered as a potential target for tumors with RAS mutations, it was once referred to as a undruggable target due to the consecutive failure in the discovery of RAS protein inhibitors. However, recent studies on the structure, signaling, and function of RAS have shed light on the development of RAS-targeting drugs, especially with the approval of Lumakras (sotorasib, AMG510) in treatment of KRASG12C-mutant NSCLC patients. Therefore, here we fully review RAS mutations in human cancer and especially focus on emerging strategies that have been recently developed for RAS-targeting therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Chen
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yalei Zhang
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ling Qian
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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66
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Ono H, Horinaka M, Sukeno M, Morita M, Yasuda S, Nishimoto E, Konishi E, Sakai T. Novel RAF/MEK inhibitor CH5126766/VS-6766 has efficacy in combination with eribulin for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer. Cancer Sci 2021; 112:4166-4175. [PMID: 34288272 PMCID: PMC8486178 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Various molecular‐targeting drugs have markedly improved the treatment of patients with breast cancer. As yet, therapies for triple‐negative breast cancer are mainly cytotoxic agents. To investigate the novel therapy for triple‐negative breast cancer, we herein examined the effects of a new combination therapy comprising a RAF/MEK inhibitor CH5126766, also known as VS‐6766, which we originally discovered, and eribulin. The combination of CH5126766 and eribulin potently inhibited cell growth in the triple‐negative breast cancer cell lines tested. The underlying mechanism in the efficacy of this combination treatment in vitro and in vivo was due to enhanced apoptosis through the suppression of survivin and Bcl‐2 family proteins. We also showed the suppressed expression of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) in combination therapy in vivo. We found that combination therapy with eribulin and CH5126766 for triple‐negative breast cancer inhibited cell growth by apoptosis and raised a possibility that immune responses through suppression of PD‐L1 might partially contribute to inhibition of tumor growth, indicating the potential of this combination as a novel strategy for triple‐negative breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisako Ono
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Endocrine and Breast Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mano Horinaka
- Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mamiko Sukeno
- Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mie Morita
- Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shusuke Yasuda
- Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Emi Nishimoto
- Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Eiichi Konishi
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Sakai
- Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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67
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Adamopoulos C, Ahmed TA, Tucker MR, Ung PMU, Xiao M, Karoulia Z, Amabile A, Wu X, Aaronson SA, Ang C, Rebecca VW, Brown BD, Schlessinger A, Herlyn M, Wang Q, Shaw DE, Poulikakos PI. Exploiting Allosteric Properties of RAF and MEK Inhibitors to Target Therapy-Resistant Tumors Driven by Oncogenic BRAF Signaling. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:1716-1735. [PMID: 33568355 PMCID: PMC8295204 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-1351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Current clinical RAF inhibitors (RAFi) inhibit monomeric BRAF (mBRAF) but are less potent against dimeric BRAF (dBRAF). RAFi equipotent for mBRAF and dBRAF have been developed but are predicted to have lower therapeutic index. Here we identify a third class of RAFi that selectively inhibits dBRAF over mBRAF. Molecular dynamic simulations reveal restriction of the movement of the BRAF αC-helix as the basis of inhibitor selectivity. Combination of inhibitors based on their conformation selectivity (mBRAF- plus dBRAF-selective plus the most potent BRAF-MEK disruptor MEK inhibitor) promoted suppression of tumor growth in BRAFV600E therapy-resistant models. Strikingly, the triple combination showed no toxicities, whereas dBRAF-selective plus MEK inhibitor treatment caused weight loss in mice. Finally, the triple combination achieved durable response and improved clinical well-being in a patient with stage IV colorectal cancer. Thus, exploiting allosteric properties of RAF and MEK inhibitors enables the design of effective and well-tolerated therapies for BRAFV600E tumors. SIGNIFICANCE: This work identifies a new class of RAFi that are selective for dBRAF over mBRAF and determines the basis of their selectivity. A rationally designed combination of RAF and MEK inhibitors based on their conformation selectivity achieved increased efficacy and a high therapeutic index when used to target BRAFV600E tumors.See related commentary by Zhang and Bollag, p. 1620.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1601.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Adamopoulos
- Department of Oncological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Tamer A Ahmed
- Department of Oncological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | | | - Peter M U Ung
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Min Xiao
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Zoi Karoulia
- Department of Oncological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Angelo Amabile
- Department of Genetics and Genomics Sciences, Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Xuewei Wu
- Department of Oncological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Stuart A Aaronson
- Department of Oncological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Celina Ang
- Department of Medicine, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | | | - Brian D Brown
- Department of Genetics and Genomics Sciences, Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Avner Schlessinger
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | | | - Qi Wang
- D. E. Shaw Research, New York, New York
| | - David E Shaw
- D. E. Shaw Research, New York, New York.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Poulikos I Poulikakos
- Department of Oncological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
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68
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Wang T, Zhang Q, Wang N, Liu Z, Zhang B, Zhao Y. Research Progresses of Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:3107-3146. [PMID: 33050856 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666201013162144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, with nearly one million new cases and deaths every year. Owing to the complex pathogenesis, hidden early symptoms, rapidly developing processes, and poor prognosis, the morbidity and mortality of HCC are increasing yearly. With the progress being made in modern medicine, the treatment of HCC is no longer limited to traditional methods. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy have emerged to treat advanced and metastatic HCC in recent years. Since Sorafenib is the first molecular targeting drug against angiogenesis, targeted drugs for HCC are continually emerging. Moreover, immunotherapy plays a vital role in clinical trials. In particular, the application of immune checkpoint inhibitors, which have received increasing attention in the field of cancer treatment, is a possible research path. Interestingly, these two therapies generally complement each other at some stages of HCC, bringing new hope for patients with advanced HCC. In this paper, we discuss the research progress of targeted therapy and immunotherapy for HCC in recent years, which will provide a reference for the further development of drugs for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
| | - Qiting Zhang
- Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
| | - Ziqi Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, the PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center, Beijing 100088, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin Kenneth Li Marine Biopharmaceutical Research Center, Department of Marine Pharmacy, College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
| | - Yufen Zhao
- Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
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69
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NRAS mutant melanoma: Towards better therapies. Cancer Treat Rev 2021; 99:102238. [PMID: 34098219 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2021.102238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Genetic alterations affecting RAS proteins are commonly found in human cancers. Roughly a fourth of melanoma patients carry activating NRAS mutations, rendering this malignancy particularly challenging to treat. Although the development of targeted as well as immunotherapies led to a substantial improvement in the overall survival of non-NRASmut melanoma patients (e.g. BRAFmut), patients with NRASmut melanomas have an overall poorer prognosis due to the high aggressiveness of RASmut tumors, lack of efficient targeted therapies or rapidly emerging resistance to existing treatments. Understanding how NRAS-driven melanomas develop therapy resistance by maintaining cell cycle progression and survival is crucial to develop more effective and specific treatments for this group of melanoma patients. In this review, we provide an updated summary of currently available therapeutic options for NRASmut melanoma patients with a focus on combined inhibition of MAPK signaling and CDK4/6-driven cell cycle progression and mechanisms of the inevitably developing resistance to these treatments. We conclude with an outlook on the most promising novel therapeutic approaches for melanoma patients with constitutively active NRAS. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: An estimated 75000 patients are affected by NRASmut melanoma each year and these patients still have a shorter progression-free survival than BRAFmut melanomas. Both intrinsic and acquired resistance occur in NRAS-driven melanomas once treated with single or combined targeted therapies involving MAPK and CDK4/6 inhibitors and/or checkpoint inhibiting immunotherapy. Oncolytic viruses, mRNA-based vaccinations, as well as targeted triple-agent therapy are promising alternatives, which could soon contribute to improved progression-free survival of the NRASmut melanoma patient group.
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70
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Cancer of unknown primary stem-like cells model multi-organ metastasis and unveil liability to MEK inhibition. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2498. [PMID: 33941777 PMCID: PMC8093243 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22643-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancers of unknown primary (CUPs), featuring metastatic dissemination in the absence of a primary tumor, are a biological enigma and a fatal disease. We propose that CUPs are a distinct, yet unrecognized, pathological entity originating from stem-like cells endowed with peculiar and shared properties. These cells can be isolated in vitro (agnospheres) and propagated in vivo by serial transplantation, displaying high tumorigenicity. After subcutaneous engraftment, agnospheres recapitulate the CUP phenotype, by spontaneously and quickly disseminating, and forming widespread established metastases. Regardless of different genetic backgrounds, agnospheres invariably display cell-autonomous proliferation and self-renewal, mostly relying on unrestrained activation of the MAP kinase/MYC axis, which confers sensitivity to MEK inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. Such sensitivity is associated with a transcriptomic signature predicting that more than 70% of CUP patients could be eligible to MEK inhibition. These data shed light on CUP biology and unveil an opportunity for therapeutic intervention. Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is a mysterious malignancy featuring metastatic dissemination in the absence of a recognizable primary tumor. By characterizing CUP cancer stem cells we show that self-sustained long-term propagation and sensitivity to MEK inhibition are CUP common features.
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Bilal F, Arenas EJ, Pedersen K, Martínez-Sabadell A, Nabet B, Guruceaga E, Vicent S, Tabernero J, Macarulla T, Arribas J. The Transcription Factor SLUG Uncouples Pancreatic Cancer Progression from the RAF-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 Pathway. Cancer Res 2021; 81:3849-3861. [PMID: 33903121 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-4263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Activating mutations in some isoforms of RAS or RAF are drivers of a substantial proportion of cancers. The main Raf effector, MEK1/2, can be targeted with several highly specific inhibitors. The clinical activity of these inhibitors seems to be mixed, showing efficacy against mutant BRAF-driven tumors but not KRAS-driven tumors, such as pancreatic adenocarcinomas. To improve our understanding of this context-dependent efficacy, we generated pancreatic cancer cells resistant to MEK1/2 inhibition, which were also resistant to KRAS and ERK1/2 inhibitors. Compared with parental cells, inhibitor-resistant cells showed several phenotypic changes including increased metastatic ability in vivo. The transcription factor SLUG, which is known to induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, was identified as the key factor responsible for both resistance to MEK1/2 inhibition and increased metastasis. Slug, but not similar transcription factors, predicted poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients and induced the transition to a cellular phenotype in which cell-cycle progression becomes independent of the KRAS-RAF-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway. SLUG was targeted using two independent strategies: (i) inhibition of the MEK5-ERK5 pathway, which is responsible for upregulation of SLUG upon MEK1/2 inhibition, and (ii) direct PROTAC-mediated degradation. Both strategies were efficacious in preclinical pancreatic cancer models, paving the path for the development of more effective therapies against pancreatic cancer. SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrates that SLUG confers resistance to MEK1/2 inhibitors in pancreatic cancer by uncoupling tumor progression from KRAS-RAF-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signaling, providing new therapeutic opportunities. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/81/14/3849/F1.large.jpg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiz Bilal
- Preclinical Research Programs, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain.,CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Enrique J Arenas
- Preclinical Research Programs, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain.,CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kim Pedersen
- Preclinical Research Programs, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alex Martínez-Sabadell
- Preclinical Research Programs, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Behnam Nabet
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elizabeth Guruceaga
- Program in Solid Tumors and Biomarkers, Center for Applied Medical Research, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Silvestre Vicent
- Program in Solid Tumors and Biomarkers, Center for Applied Medical Research, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Josep Tabernero
- CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Teresa Macarulla
- Clinical Research Programs, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain.,Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joaquín Arribas
- Preclinical Research Programs, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain. .,CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,Cancer Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain.,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010, Barcelona, Spain
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72
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Das TK, Gatto J, Mirmira R, Hourizadeh E, Kaufman D, Gelb BD, Cagan R. Drosophila RASopathy models identify disease subtype differences and biomarkers of drug efficacy. iScience 2021; 24:102306. [PMID: 33855281 PMCID: PMC8026909 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
RASopathies represent a family of mostly autosomal dominant diseases that are caused by missense variants in the rat sarcoma viral oncogene/mitogen activated protein kinase (RAS/MAPK) pathway including KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, RAF1, and SHP2. These variants are associated with overlapping but distinct phenotypes that affect the heart, craniofacial, skeletal, lymphatic, and nervous systems. Here, we report an analysis of 13 Drosophila transgenic lines, each expressing a different human RASopathy isoform. Similar to their human counterparts, each Drosophila line displayed common aspects but also important differences including distinct signaling pathways such as the Hippo and SAPK/JNK signaling networks. We identified multiple classes of clinically relevant drugs-including statins and histone deacetylase inhibitors-that improved viability across most RASopathy lines; in contrast, several canonical RAS pathway inhibitors proved less broadly effective. Overall, our study compares and contrasts a large number of RASopathy-associated variants including their therapeutic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tirtha K. Das
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York NY, USA
- The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York NY, USA
| | - Jared Gatto
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York NY, USA
- The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York NY, USA
| | - Rupa Mirmira
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York NY, USA
| | - Ethan Hourizadeh
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York NY, USA
| | - Dalia Kaufman
- The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York NY, USA
| | - Bruce D. Gelb
- The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York NY, USA
| | - Ross Cagan
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York NY, USA
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Li Y, Umbach DM, Krahn JM, Shats I, Li X, Li L. Predicting tumor response to drugs based on gene-expression biomarkers of sensitivity learned from cancer cell lines. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:272. [PMID: 33858332 PMCID: PMC8048084 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07581-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Human cancer cell line profiling and drug sensitivity studies provide valuable information about the therapeutic potential of drugs and their possible mechanisms of action. The goal of those studies is to translate the findings from in vitro studies of cancer cell lines into in vivo therapeutic relevance and, eventually, patients’ care. Tremendous progress has been made. Results In this work, we built predictive models for 453 drugs using data on gene expression and drug sensitivity (IC50) from cancer cell lines. We identified many known drug-gene interactions and uncovered several potentially novel drug-gene associations. Importantly, we further applied these predictive models to ~ 17,000 bulk RNA-seq samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) database to predict drug sensitivity for both normal and tumor tissues. We created a web site for users to visualize and download our predicted data (https://manticore.niehs.nih.gov/cancerRxTissue). Using trametinib as an example, we showed that our approach can faithfully recapitulate the known tumor specificity of the drug. Conclusions We demonstrated that our approach can predict drugs that 1) are tumor-type specific; 2) elicit higher sensitivity from tumor compared to corresponding normal tissue; 3) elicit differential sensitivity across breast cancer subtypes. If validated, our prediction could have relevance for preclinical drug testing and in phase I clinical design. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07581-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Li
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T.W. Alexander Dr., Research Triangle Park, MD A3-03, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - David M Umbach
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T.W. Alexander Dr., Research Triangle Park, MD A3-03, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Juno M Krahn
- Genome Integrity & Structural Biology Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Igor Shats
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Xiaoling Li
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Leping Li
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T.W. Alexander Dr., Research Triangle Park, MD A3-03, Durham, NC, 27709, USA.
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Dissection of two routes to naïve pluripotency using different kinase inhibitors. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1863. [PMID: 33767186 PMCID: PMC7994667 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22181-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can be maintained in the naïve state through inhibition of Mek1/2 and Gsk3 (2i). A relevant effect of 2i is the inhibition of Cdk8/19, which are negative regulators of the Mediator complex, responsible for the activity of enhancers. Inhibition of Cdk8/19 (Cdk8/19i) stimulates enhancers and, similar to 2i, stabilizes ESCs in the naïve state. Here, we use mass spectrometry to describe the molecular events (phosphoproteome, proteome, and metabolome) triggered by 2i and Cdk8/19i on ESCs. Our data reveal widespread commonalities between these two treatments, suggesting overlapping processes. We find that post-transcriptional de-repression by both 2i and Cdk8/19i might support the mitochondrial capacity of naive cells. However, proteome reprogramming in each treatment is achieved by different mechanisms. Cdk8/19i acts directly on the transcriptional machinery, activating key identity genes to promote the naïve program. In contrast, 2i stabilizes the naïve circuitry through, in part, de-phosphorylation of downstream transcriptional effectors.
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Morgan CW, Dale IL, Thomas AP, Hunt J, Chin JW. Selective CRAF Inhibition Elicits Transactivation. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:4600-4606. [PMID: 33750116 PMCID: PMC8041278 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c11958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Discovering molecules that regulate
closely related protein isoforms
is challenging, and in many cases the consequences of isoform-specific
pharmacological regulation remains unknown. RAF isoforms are commonly
mutated oncogenes that serve as effector kinases in MAP kinase signaling.
BRAF/CRAF heterodimers are believed to be the primary RAF signaling
species, and many RAF inhibitors lead to a “paradoxical activation”
of RAF kinase activity through transactivation of the CRAF protomer;
this leads to resistance mechanisms and secondary tumors. It has been
hypothesized that CRAF-selective inhibition might bypass paradoxical
activation, but no CRAF-selective inhibitor has been reported and
the consequences of pharmacologically inhibiting CRAF have remained
unknown. Here, we use bio-orthogonal ligand tethering (BOLT) to selectively
target inhibitors to CRAF. Our results suggest that selective CRAF
inhibition promotes paradoxical activation and exemplify how BOLT
may be used to triage potential targets for drug discovery before
any target-selective small molecules are known.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles W Morgan
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Ian L Dale
- Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew P Thomas
- Medicinal Chemistry, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | - James Hunt
- Antibody Discovery & Protein Engineering, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB21 6GH, United Kingdom
| | - Jason W Chin
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
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76
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Hitchman TD, Bayshtok G, Ceraudo E, Moore AR, Lee C, Jia R, Wang N, Pachai MR, Shoushtari AN, Francis JH, Guan Y, Chen J, Chang MT, Taylor BS, Sakmar TP, Huber T, Chi P, Chen Y. Combined Inhibition of Gα q and MEK Enhances Therapeutic Efficacy in Uveal Melanoma. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:1476-1490. [PMID: 33229459 PMCID: PMC8086191 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-2860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE All uveal melanoma and a fraction of other melanoma subtypes are driven by activation of the G-protein alpha-q (Gαq) pathway. Targeting these melanomas has proven difficult despite advances in the molecular understanding of key driver signaling pathways in the disease pathogenesis. Inhibitors of Gαq have shown promising preclinical results, but their therapeutic activity in distinct Gαq mutational contexts and in vivo have remained elusive. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We used an isogenic melanocytic cellular system to systematically examine hotspot mutations in GNAQ (e.g., G48V, R183Q, Q209L) and CYSLTR2 (L129Q) found in human uveal melanoma. This cellular system and human uveal melanoma cell lines were used in vitro and in in vivo xenograft studies to assess the efficacy of Gαq inhibition as a single agent and in combination with MEK inhibition. RESULTS We demonstrate that the Gαq inhibitor YM-254890 inhibited downstream signaling and in vitro growth in all mutants. In vivo, YM-254890 slowed tumor growth but did not cause regression in human uveal melanoma xenografts. Through comprehensive transcriptome analysis, we observed that YM-254890 caused inhibition of the MAPK signaling with evidence of rebound by 24 hours and combination treatment of YM-254890 and a MEK inhibitor led to sustained MAPK inhibition. We further demonstrated that the combination caused synergistic growth inhibition in vitro and tumor shrinkage in vivo. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that the combination of Gαq and MEK inhibition provides a promising therapeutic strategy and improved therapeutic window of broadly targeting Gαq in uveal melanoma.See related commentary by Neelature Sriramareddy and Smalley, p. 1217.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler D Hitchman
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Louis V. Gerstner Jr. Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Gabriella Bayshtok
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Emilie Ceraudo
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Signal Transduction, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Amanda R Moore
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, New York
| | - Cindy Lee
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Ruobing Jia
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Naitao Wang
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Mohini R Pachai
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Alexander N Shoushtari
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, New York
| | - Jasmine H Francis
- Opthalmic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Youxin Guan
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Juliet Chen
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Matthew T Chang
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Barry S Taylor
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Thomas P Sakmar
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Signal Transduction, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
| | - Thomas Huber
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Signal Transduction, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Ping Chi
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
- Louis V. Gerstner Jr. Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, New York
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, New York
| | - Yu Chen
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
- Louis V. Gerstner Jr. Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, New York
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, New York
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Hong A, Piva M, Liu S, Hugo W, Lomeli SH, Zoete V, Randolph CE, Yang Z, Wang Y, Lee JJ, Lo SJ, Sun L, Vega-Crespo A, Garcia AJ, Shackelford DB, Dubinett SM, Scumpia PO, Byrum SD, Tackett AJ, Donahue TR, Michielin O, Holmen SL, Ribas A, Moriceau G, Lo RS. Durable Suppression of Acquired MEK Inhibitor Resistance in Cancer by Sequestering MEK from ERK and Promoting Antitumor T-cell Immunity. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:714-735. [PMID: 33318037 PMCID: PMC7933113 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-0873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
MAPK targeting in cancer often fails due to MAPK reactivation. MEK inhibitor (MEKi) monotherapy provides limited clinical benefits but may serve as a foundation for combination therapies. Here, we showed that combining a type II RAF inhibitor (RAFi) with an allosteric MEKi durably prevents and overcomes acquired resistance among cancers with KRAS, NRAS, NF1, BRAF non-V600, and BRAF V600 mutations. Tumor cell-intrinsically, type II RAFi plus MEKi sequester MEK in RAF complexes, reduce MEK/MEK dimerization, and uncouple MEK from ERK in acquired-resistant tumor subpopulations. Immunologically, this combination expands memory and activated/exhausted CD8+ T cells, and durable tumor regression elicited by this combination requires CD8+ T cells, which can be reinvigorated by anti-PD-L1 therapy. Whereas MEKi reduces dominant intratumoral T-cell clones, type II RAFi cotreatment reverses this effect and promotes T-cell clonotypic expansion. These findings rationalize the clinical development of type II RAFi plus MEKi and their further combination with PD-1/L1-targeted therapy. SIGNIFICANCE: Type I RAFi + MEKi are indicated only in certain BRAF V600MUT cancers. In contrast, type II RAFi + MEKi are durably active against acquired MEKi resistance across broad cancer indications, which reveals exquisite MAPK addiction. Allosteric modulation of MAPK protein/protein interactions and temporal preservation of intratumoral CD8+ T cells are mechanisms that may be further exploited.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 521.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors
- GTP Phosphohydrolases/genetics
- GTP Phosphohydrolases/metabolism
- Humans
- Immunity, Cellular/drug effects
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/drug effects
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/metabolism
- Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Membrane Proteins/metabolism
- Mice
- Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors
- Mutation
- Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Neoplasms/etiology
- Neoplasms/metabolism
- Neoplasms/pathology
- Protein Binding
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Protein Stability
- T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Treatment Outcome
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Aayoung Hong
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Marco Piva
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Sixue Liu
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Willy Hugo
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Shirley H Lomeli
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Vincent Zoete
- Department of Fundamental Oncology, Ludwig Center for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Zhentao Yang
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Yan Wang
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jordan J Lee
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Skylar J Lo
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Lu Sun
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Agustin Vega-Crespo
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Alejandro J Garcia
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - David B Shackelford
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Steven M Dubinett
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Philip O Scumpia
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Dermatology, Veteran's Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California
| | - Stephanie D Byrum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Alan J Tackett
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Timothy R Donahue
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Olivier Michielin
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Center for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sheri L Holmen
- Huntsman Cancer Institute and Department of Surgery, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Antoni Ribas
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Gatien Moriceau
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California.
| | - Roger S Lo
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California.
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
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Alabi S, Jaime-Figueroa S, Yao Z, Gao Y, Hines J, Samarasinghe KTG, Vogt L, Rosen N, Crews CM. Mutant-selective degradation by BRAF-targeting PROTACs. Nat Commun 2021; 12:920. [PMID: 33568647 PMCID: PMC7876048 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21159-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Over 300 BRAF missense mutations have been identified in patients, yet currently approved drugs target V600 mutants alone. Moreover, acquired resistance inevitably emerges, primarily due to RAF lesions that prevent inhibition of BRAF V600 with current treatments. Therefore, there is a need for new therapies that target other mechanisms of activated BRAF. In this study, we use the Proteolysis Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) technology, which promotes ubiquitination and degradation of neo-substrates, to address the limitations of BRAF inhibitor-based therapies. Using vemurafenib-based PROTACs, we achieve low nanomolar degradation of all classes of BRAF mutants, but spare degradation of WT RAF family members. Our lead PROTAC outperforms vemurafenib in inhibiting cancer cell growth and shows in vivo efficacy in a Class 2 BRAF xenograft model. Mechanistic studies reveal that BRAFWT is spared due to weak ternary complex formation in cells owing to its quiescent inactivated conformation, and activation of BRAFWT sensitizes it to degradation. This study highlights the degree of selectivity achievable with degradation-based approaches by targeting mutant BRAF-driven cancers while sparing BRAFWT, providing an anti-tumor drug modality that expands the therapeutic window. Hundreds of BRAF mutations have been identified in patients with cancer but currently approved drugs only target BRAF V600 mutants. Here, the authors develop a vemurafenib-based PROTAC that induces degradation of all classes of BRAF mutants without affecting wild-type RAF proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Saul Jaime-Figueroa
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Zhan Yao
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yijun Gao
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - John Hines
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Lea Vogt
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Neal Rosen
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Craig M Crews
- Department of Pharmacology, New Haven, CT, USA. .,Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA. .,Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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79
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Köhler J, Zhao Y, Li J, Gokhale PC, Tiv HL, Knott AR, Wilkens MK, Soroko KM, Lin M, Ambrogio C, Musteanu M, Ogino A, Choi J, Bahcall M, Bertram AA, Chambers ES, Paweletz CP, Bhagwat SV, Manro JR, Tiu RV, Jänne PA. ERK Inhibitor LY3214996-Based Treatment Strategies for RAS-Driven Lung Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 20:641-654. [PMID: 33536188 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-0531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
RAS gene mutations are the most frequent oncogenic event in lung cancer. They activate multiple RAS-centric signaling networks among them the MAPK, PI3K, and RB pathways. Within the MAPK pathway, ERK1/2 proteins exert a bottleneck function for transmitting mitogenic signals and activating cytoplasmic and nuclear targets. In view of disappointing antitumor activity and toxicity of continuously applied MEK inhibitors in patients with KRAS-mutant lung cancer, research has recently focused on ERK1/2 proteins as therapeutic targets and on ERK inhibitors for their ability to prevent bypass and feedback pathway activation. Here, we show that intermittent application of the novel and selective ATP-competitive ERK1/2 inhibitor LY3214996 exerts single-agent activity in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of RAS-mutant lung cancer. Combination treatments were well tolerated and resulted in synergistic (ERKi plus PI3K/mTORi LY3023414) and additive (ERKi plus CDK4/6i abemaciclib) tumor growth inhibition in PDX models. Future clinical trials are required to investigate if intermittent ERK inhibitor-based treatment schedules can overcome toxicities observed with continuous MEK inhibition and-equally important-to identify biomarkers for patient stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Köhler
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Yutong Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jiaqi Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Prafulla C Gokhale
- Experimental Therapeutics Core and Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hong L Tiv
- Experimental Therapeutics Core and Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Aine R Knott
- Experimental Therapeutics Core and Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Margaret K Wilkens
- Experimental Therapeutics Core and Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kara M Soroko
- Experimental Therapeutics Core and Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mika Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Chiara Ambrogio
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Monica Musteanu
- Experimental Oncology, Molecular Oncology Program, CNIO, Madrid, Spain.,Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
| | - Atsuko Ogino
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jihyun Choi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Magda Bahcall
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Arrien A Bertram
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Emily S Chambers
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Cloud P Paweletz
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shripad V Bhagwat
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Jason R Manro
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Ramon V Tiu
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Pasi A Jänne
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts. .,Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
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80
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Byron A, Bernhardt S, Ouine B, Cartier A, Macleod KG, Carragher NO, Sibut V, Korf U, Serrels B, de Koning L. Integrative analysis of multi-platform reverse-phase protein array data for the pharmacodynamic assessment of response to targeted therapies. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21985. [PMID: 33319783 PMCID: PMC7738515 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77335-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Reverse-phase protein array (RPPA) technology uses panels of high-specificity antibodies to measure proteins and protein post-translational modifications in cells and tissues. The approach offers sensitive and precise quantification of large numbers of samples and has thus found applications in the analysis of clinical and pre-clinical samples. For effective integration into drug development and clinical practice, robust assays with consistent results are essential. Leveraging a collaborative RPPA model, we set out to assess the variability between three different RPPA platforms using distinct instrument set-ups and workflows. Employing multiple RPPA-based approaches operated across distinct laboratories, we characterised a range of human breast cancer cells and their protein-level responses to two clinically relevant cancer drugs. We integrated multi-platform RPPA data and used unsupervised learning to identify protein expression and phosphorylation signatures that were not dependent on RPPA platform and analysis workflow. Our findings indicate that proteomic analyses of cancer cell lines using different RPPA platforms can identify concordant profiles of response to pharmacological inhibition, including when using different antibodies to measure the same target antigens. These results highlight the robustness and the reproducibility of RPPA technology and its capacity to identify protein markers of disease or response to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Byron
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh, EH4 2XR, UK.
| | - Stephan Bernhardt
- Division of Molecular Genome Analysis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Pfizer Pharma GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bérèngere Ouine
- Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Aurélie Cartier
- Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France
- Sederma, Le Perray-en-Yvelines, France
| | - Kenneth G Macleod
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh, EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Neil O Carragher
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh, EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Vonick Sibut
- U900 INSERM, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
- U1236 INSERM, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France
| | - Ulrike Korf
- Division of Molecular Genome Analysis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bryan Serrels
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh, EH4 2XR, UK
- NanoString Technologies, Inc., Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Leanne de Koning
- Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France.
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81
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Sun HL, Zhu AC, Gao Y, Terajima H, Fei Q, Liu S, Zhang L, Zhang Z, Harada BT, He YY, Bissonnette MB, Hung MC, He C. Stabilization of ERK-Phosphorylated METTL3 by USP5 Increases m 6A Methylation. Mol Cell 2020; 80:633-647.e7. [PMID: 33217317 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant mRNA modification and is installed by the METTL3-METTL14-WTAP methyltransferase complex. Although the importance of m6A methylation in mRNA metabolism has been well documented recently, regulation of the m6A machinery remains obscure. Through a genome-wide CRISPR screen, we identify the ERK pathway and USP5 as positive regulators of the m6A deposition. We find that ERK phosphorylates METTL3 at S43/S50/S525 and WTAP at S306/S341, followed by deubiquitination by USP5, resulting in stabilization of the m6A methyltransferase complex. Lack of METTL3/WTAP phosphorylation reduces decay of m6A-labeled pluripotent factor transcripts and traps mouse embryonic stem cells in the pluripotent state. The same phosphorylation can also be found in ERK-activated human cancer cells and contribute to tumorigenesis. Our study reveals an unrecognized function of ERK in regulating m6A methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Lung Sun
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Allen C Zhu
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Yawei Gao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Hideki Terajima
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Qili Fei
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Shun Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Linda Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Zijie Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Bryan T Harada
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Yu-Ying He
- Department of Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Marc B Bissonnette
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | | | - Chuan He
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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82
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Flemington V, Davies EJ, Robinson D, Sandin LC, Delpuech O, Zhang P, Hanson L, Farrington P, Bell S, Falenta K, Gibbons FD, Lindsay N, Smith A, Wilson J, Roberts K, Tonge M, Hopcroft P, Willis SE, Roudier MP, Rooney C, Coker EA, Jaaks P, Garnett MJ, Fawell SE, Jones CD, Ward RA, Simpson I, Cosulich SC, Pease JE, Smith PD. AZD0364 Is a Potent and Selective ERK1/2 Inhibitor That Enhances Antitumor Activity in KRAS-Mutant Tumor Models when Combined with the MEK Inhibitor, Selumetinib. Mol Cancer Ther 2020; 20:238-249. [PMID: 33273059 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The RAS-regulated RAF-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 (RAS/MAPK) signaling pathway is a major driver in oncogenesis and is frequently dysregulated in human cancers, primarily by mutations in BRAF or RAS genes. The clinical benefit of inhibitors of this pathway as single agents has only been realized in BRAF-mutant melanoma, with limited effect of single-agent pathway inhibitors in KRAS-mutant tumors. Combined inhibition of multiple nodes within this pathway, such as MEK1/2 and ERK1/2, may be necessary to effectively suppress pathway signaling in KRAS-mutant tumors and achieve meaningful clinical benefit. Here, we report the discovery and characterization of AZD0364, a novel, reversible, ATP-competitive ERK1/2 inhibitor with high potency and kinase selectivity. In vitro, AZD0364 treatment resulted in inhibition of proximal and distal biomarkers and reduced proliferation in sensitive BRAF-mutant and KRAS-mutant cell lines. In multiple in vivo xenograft models, AZD0364 showed dose- and time-dependent modulation of ERK1/2-dependent signaling biomarkers resulting in tumor regression in sensitive BRAF- and KRAS-mutant xenografts. We demonstrate that AZD0364 in combination with the MEK1/2 inhibitor, selumetinib (AZD6244 and ARRY142886), enhances efficacy in KRAS-mutant preclinical models that are moderately sensitive or resistant to MEK1/2 inhibition. This combination results in deeper and more durable suppression of the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway that is not achievable with single-agent treatment. The AZD0364 and selumetinib combination also results in significant tumor regressions in multiple KRAS-mutant xenograft models. The combination of ERK1/2 and MEK1/2 inhibition thereby represents a viable clinical approach to target KRAS-mutant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikki Flemington
- Bioscience, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom.
| | - Emma J Davies
- Bioscience, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - David Robinson
- Bioscience, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - Linda C Sandin
- Bioscience, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - Oona Delpuech
- Bioscience, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - Pei Zhang
- Bioscience, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - Lyndsey Hanson
- Bioscience, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Farrington
- Bioscience, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - Sigourney Bell
- Bioscience, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - Katarzyna Falenta
- Bioscience, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - Francis D Gibbons
- DMPK, Oncology, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom and Waltham, Massachusetts
| | - Nicola Lindsay
- DMPK, Oncology, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom and Waltham, Massachusetts
| | - Aaron Smith
- DMPK, Oncology, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom and Waltham, Massachusetts
| | - Joanne Wilson
- DMPK, Oncology, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom and Waltham, Massachusetts
| | - Karen Roberts
- Discovery Science, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Tonge
- Discovery Science, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - Philip Hopcroft
- Discovery Science, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie E Willis
- Translational Medicine, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - Martine P Roudier
- Translational Medicine, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Rooney
- Translational Medicine, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | | | - Patricia Jaaks
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Richard A Ward
- Medicinal Chemistry, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Paul D Smith
- Bioscience, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
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83
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Kim D, Xue JY, Lito P. Targeting KRAS(G12C): From Inhibitory Mechanism to Modulation of Antitumor Effects in Patients. Cell 2020; 183:850-859. [PMID: 33065029 PMCID: PMC7669705 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.09.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
KRAS mutations are among the most common genetic alterations in lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. Direct inhibition of KRAS oncoproteins has been a long-standing pursuit in precision oncology, one established shortly after the discovery of RAS mutations in human cancer cells nearly 40 years ago. Recent advances in medicinal chemistry have established inhibitors targeting KRAS(G12C), a mutation found in ∼13% of lung adenocarcinomas and, at a lower frequency, in other cancers. Preclinical studies describing their discovery and mechanism of action, coupled with emerging clinical data from patients treated with these drugs, have sparked a renewed enthusiasm in the study of KRAS and its therapeutic potential. Here, we discuss how these advances are reshaping the fundamental aspects of KRAS oncoprotein biology and the strides being made toward improving patient outcomes in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongsung Kim
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jenny Yaohua Xue
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer, New York, NY, USA; Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan Kettering Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program, New York, NY, USA
| | - Piro Lito
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer, New York, NY, USA; Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan Kettering Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program, New York, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
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84
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Abstract
Aberrations in rat sarcoma (RAS) viral oncogene are the most prevalent and best-known genetic alterations identified in human cancers. Indeed, RAS drives tumorigenesis as one of the downstream effectors of EGFR activation, regulating cellular switches and functions and triggering intracellular signaling cascades such as the MAPK and PI3K pathways. Of the three RAS isoforms expressed in human cells, all of which were linked to tumorigenesis more than three decades ago, KRAS is the most frequently mutated. In particular, point mutations in KRAS codon 12 are present in up to 80% of KRAS-mutant malignancies. Unfortunately, there are no approved KRAS-targeted agents, despite decades of research and development. Recently, a revolutionary strategy to use covalent allosteric inhibitors that target a shallow pocket on the KRAS surface has provided new impetus for renewed drug development efforts, specifically against KRASG12C. These inhibitors, such as AMG 510 and MRTX849, show promise in early-phase studies. Nevertheless, combination strategies that target resistance mechanisms have become vital in the war against KRAS-mutant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyaw Z Thein
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University/Knight Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA;
| | - Amadeo B Biter
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA; ,
| | - David S Hong
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA; ,
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85
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Gerosa L, Chidley C, Fröhlich F, Sanchez G, Lim SK, Muhlich J, Chen JY, Vallabhaneni S, Baker GJ, Schapiro D, Atanasova MI, Chylek LA, Shi T, Yi L, Nicora CD, Claas A, Ng TSC, Kohler RH, Lauffenburger DA, Weissleder R, Miller MA, Qian WJ, Wiley HS, Sorger PK. Receptor-Driven ERK Pulses Reconfigure MAPK Signaling and Enable Persistence of Drug-Adapted BRAF-Mutant Melanoma Cells. Cell Syst 2020; 11:478-494.e9. [PMID: 33113355 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2020.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Targeted inhibition of oncogenic pathways can be highly effective in halting the rapid growth of tumors but often leads to the emergence of slowly dividing persister cells, which constitute a reservoir for the selection of drug-resistant clones. In BRAFV600E melanomas, RAF and MEK inhibitors efficiently block oncogenic signaling, but persister cells emerge. Here, we show that persister cells escape drug-induced cell-cycle arrest via brief, sporadic ERK pulses generated by transmembrane receptors and growth factors operating in an autocrine/paracrine manner. Quantitative proteomics and computational modeling show that ERK pulsing is enabled by rewiring of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling: from an oncogenic BRAFV600E monomer-driven configuration that is drug sensitive to a receptor-driven configuration that involves Ras-GTP and RAF dimers and is highly resistant to RAF and MEK inhibitors. Altogether, this work shows that pulsatile MAPK activation by factors in the microenvironment generates a persistent population of melanoma cells that rewires MAPK signaling to sustain non-genetic drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Gerosa
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Christopher Chidley
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Fabian Fröhlich
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Gabriela Sanchez
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sang Kyun Lim
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jeremy Muhlich
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jia-Yun Chen
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sreeram Vallabhaneni
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Gregory J Baker
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Denis Schapiro
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Mariya I Atanasova
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lily A Chylek
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Tujin Shi
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Lian Yi
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Carrie D Nicora
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Allison Claas
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Thomas S C Ng
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Rainer H Kohler
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Douglas A Lauffenburger
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ralph Weissleder
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Miles A Miller
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Wei-Jun Qian
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - H Steven Wiley
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Peter K Sorger
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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86
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Osumi H, Muroi A, Sakahara M, Kawachi H, Okamoto T, Natsume Y, Yamanaka H, Takano H, Kusama D, Shinozaki E, Ooki A, Yamaguchi K, Ueno M, Takeuchi K, Noda T, Nagayama S, Koshikawa N, Yao R. Evaluation of the RAS signaling network in response to MEK inhibition using organoids derived from a familial adenomatous polyposis patient. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17455. [PMID: 33060766 PMCID: PMC7567075 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74530-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
RAS signaling is a promising target for colorectal cancer (CRC) therapy, and a variety of selective inhibitors have been developed. However, their use has often failed to demonstrate a significant benefit in CRC patients. Here, we used patient-derived organoids (PDOs) derived from a familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patient to analyze the response to chemotherapeutic agents targeting EGFR, BRAF and MEK. We found that PDOs carrying KRAS mutations were resistant to MEK inhibition, while those harboring the BRAF class 3 mutation were hypersensitive. We used a systematic approach to examine the phosphorylation of RAS effectors using reverse-phase protein array (RPPA) and found increased phosphorylation of MEK induced by binimetinib. A high basal level of ERK phosphorylation and its rebound activation after MEK inhibition were detected in KRAS-mutant PDOs. Notably, the phosphorylation of EGFR and AKT was more closely correlated with that of MEK than that of ERK. Transcriptome analysis identified MYC-mediated transcription and IFN signaling as significantly correlated gene sets in MEK inhibition. Our experiments demonstrated that RPPA analysis of PDOs, in combination with the genome and transcriptome, is a useful preclinical research platform to understand RAS signaling and provides clues for the development of chemotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Osumi
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan.,Director's Office, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Atsushi Muroi
- Division of Cancer Cell Research, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, 2-3-2 Nakao, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 241-8515, Japan
| | - Mizuho Sakahara
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kawachi
- Division of Pathology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Department of Pathology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Takuya Okamoto
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Yasuko Natsume
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Hitomi Yamanaka
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Takano
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kusama
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Eiji Shinozaki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Akira Ooki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Kensei Yamaguchi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Masashi Ueno
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Kengo Takeuchi
- Division of Pathology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Department of Pathology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Noda
- Director's Office, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Satoshi Nagayama
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Naohiko Koshikawa
- Division of Cancer Cell Research, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, 2-3-2 Nakao, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 241-8515, Japan
| | - Ryoji Yao
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan.
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87
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Sulahian R, Kwon JJ, Walsh KH, Pailler E, Bosse TL, Thaker M, Almanza D, Dempster JM, Pan J, Piccioni F, Dumont N, Gonzalez A, Rennhack J, Nabet B, Bachman JA, Goodale A, Lee Y, Bagul M, Liao R, Navarro A, Yuan TL, Ng RWS, Raghavan S, Gray NS, Tsherniak A, Vazquez F, Root DE, Firestone AJ, Settleman J, Hahn WC, Aguirre AJ. Synthetic Lethal Interaction of SHOC2 Depletion with MEK Inhibition in RAS-Driven Cancers. Cell Rep 2020; 29:118-134.e8. [PMID: 31577942 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.08.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is a critical effector of oncogenic RAS signaling, and MAPK pathway inhibition may be an effective combination treatment strategy. We performed genome-scale loss-of-function CRISPR-Cas9 screens in the presence of a MEK1/2 inhibitor (MEKi) in KRAS-mutant pancreatic and lung cancer cell lines and identified genes that cooperate with MEK inhibition. While we observed heterogeneity in genetic modifiers of MEKi sensitivity across cell lines, several recurrent classes of synthetic lethal vulnerabilities emerged at the pathway level. Multiple members of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)-RAS-MAPK pathways scored as sensitizers to MEKi. In particular, we demonstrate that knockout, suppression, or degradation of SHOC2, a positive regulator of MAPK signaling, specifically cooperated with MEK inhibition to impair proliferation in RAS-driven cancer cells. The depletion of SHOC2 disrupted survival pathways triggered by feedback RTK signaling in response to MEK inhibition. Thus, these findings nominate SHOC2 as a potential target for combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Sulahian
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jason J Kwon
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Emma Pailler
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Timothy L Bosse
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Maneesha Thaker
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Diego Almanza
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | | | - Joshua Pan
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Nancy Dumont
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | | | - Jonathan Rennhack
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Behnam Nabet
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - John A Bachman
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Amy Goodale
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Yenarae Lee
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Mukta Bagul
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Rosy Liao
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Adrija Navarro
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Tina L Yuan
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Raymond W S Ng
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Srivatsan Raghavan
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Aviad Tsherniak
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | | | - David E Root
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | | | - Jeff Settleman
- Calico Life Sciences, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - William C Hahn
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, MA.
| | - Andrew J Aguirre
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, MA.
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88
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Khan ZM, Real AM, Marsiglia WM, Chow A, Duffy ME, Yerabolu JR, Scopton AP, Dar AC. Structural basis for the action of the drug trametinib at KSR-bound MEK. Nature 2020; 588:509-514. [PMID: 32927473 PMCID: PMC7746607 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2760-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The MAPK/ERK Kinase MEK is a shared effector of the frequent cancer drivers KRAS and BRAF that has long been pursued as a drug target in oncology1, and more recently in immunotherapy2,3 and aging4. However, many MEK inhibitors (MEKi) are limited due to on-target toxicities5–7 and drug resistance8–10. Accordingly, a molecular understanding of the structure and function of MEK within physiological complexes could provide a template for the design of safer and more effective therapies. Here we report X-ray crystal structures of MEK bound to the scaffold KSR (Kinase Suppressor of Ras) with various MEKi, including the clinical drug trametinib. The structures reveal an unexpected mode of binding in which trametinib directly engages KSR at the MEK interface. Through complexation, KSR remodels the prototypical MEKi allosteric pocket thereby impacting binding and kinetics, including drug residence time. Moreover, trametinib binds KSR-MEK but disrupts the related RAF-MEK complex through a mechanism that exploits evolutionarily conserved interface residues that distinguish these subcomplexes. Based on these insights we created trametiglue, which limits adaptive resistance to MEKi through enhanced interfacial binding. Together, our results reveal the plasticity of an interface pocket within MEK subcomplexes that has implications for the design of next generation drugs targeting the RAS pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaigham M Khan
- Department of Oncological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexander M Real
- Department of Oncological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - William M Marsiglia
- Department of Oncological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Arthur Chow
- Department of Oncological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mary E Duffy
- Department of Oncological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jayasudhan R Yerabolu
- Department of Oncological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alex P Scopton
- Department of Oncological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Arvin C Dar
- Department of Oncological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. .,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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89
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King B, Araki J, Palm W, Thompson CB. Yap/Taz promote the scavenging of extracellular nutrients through macropinocytosis. Genes Dev 2020; 34:1345-1358. [PMID: 32912902 PMCID: PMC7528706 DOI: 10.1101/gad.340661.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The uptake of macromolecules and cellular debris through macropinocytosis has emerged as an important nutrient acquisition strategy of cancer cells. Genetic alterations commonly found in human cancers (e.g. mutations in KRAS or loss of PTEN) have been shown to increase macropinocytosis. To identify additional effectors that enable cell growth dependent on the uptake of extracellular proteins, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) cells were selected for growth in medium where extracellular albumin was the obligate source of the essential amino acid leucine. Analysis of global changes in chromatin availability and gene expression revealed that PDA cells selected under these conditions exhibited elevated activity of the transcriptional activators Yap/Taz. Knockout of Yap/Taz prevented growth of PDA cells in leucine-deficient medium, but not in complete medium. Furthermore, constitutively active forms of Yap or Taz were sufficient to stimulate macropinocytosis of extracellular protein. In addition to promoting the uptake of plasma proteins, Yap/Taz also promoted the scavenging of apoptotic cell bodies and necrotic debris by PDA cells. The Yap/Taz transcriptional target Axl was found to be essential for cell growth dependent on the uptake of dead cells and cell debris. Together, these studies suggest that the Hippo pathway effectors Yap and Taz are important transcriptional regulators of endocytic nutrient uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan King
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Jingwen Araki
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Wilhelm Palm
- Cell Biology and Tumor Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Craig B Thompson
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA
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90
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Uras IZ, Moll HP, Casanova E. Targeting KRAS Mutant Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Past, Present and Future. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4325. [PMID: 32560574 PMCID: PMC7352653 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most frequent cancer with an aggressive clinical course and high mortality rates. Most cases are diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are limited and the efficacy of chemotherapy is poor. The disease has a complex and heterogeneous background with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for 85% of patients and lung adenocarcinoma being the most common histological subtype. Almost 30% of adenocarcinomas of the lung are driven by an activating Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutation. The ability to inhibit the oncogenic KRAS has been the holy grail of cancer research and the search for inhibitors is immensely ongoing as KRAS-mutated tumors are among the most aggressive and refractory to treatment. Therapeutic strategies tailored for KRAS+ NSCLC rely on the blockage of KRAS functional output, cellular dependencies, metabolic features, KRAS membrane associations, direct targeting of KRAS and immunotherapy. In this review, we provide an update on the most recent advances in anti-KRAS therapy for lung tumors with mechanistic insights into biological diversity and potential clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Z. Uras
- Department of Pharmacology, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Herwig P. Moll
- Department of Physiology, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (H.P.M.); (E.C.)
| | - Emilio Casanova
- Department of Physiology, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (H.P.M.); (E.C.)
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research (LBI-CR), 1090 Vienna, Austria
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91
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Abstract
RAS (KRAS, NRAS and HRAS) is the most frequently mutated gene family in cancers, and, consequently, investigators have sought an effective RAS inhibitor for more than three decades. Even 10 years ago, RAS inhibitors were so elusive that RAS was termed 'undruggable'. Now, with the success of allele-specific covalent inhibitors against the most frequently mutated version of RAS in non-small-cell lung cancer, KRASG12C, we have the opportunity to evaluate the best therapeutic strategies to treat RAS-driven cancers. Mutation-specific biochemical properties, as well as the tissue of origin, are likely to affect the effectiveness of such treatments. Currently, direct inhibition of mutant RAS through allele-specific inhibitors provides the best therapeutic approach. Therapies that target RAS-activating pathways or RAS effector pathways could be combined with these direct RAS inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors or T cell-targeting approaches to treat RAS-mutant tumours. Here we review recent advances in therapies that target mutant RAS proteins and discuss the future challenges of these therapies, including combination strategies.
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92
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Umemura S, Sowa Y, Iizumi Y, Kitawaki J, Sakai T. Synergistic effect of the inhibitors of RAF/MEK and AXL on KRAS-mutated ovarian cancer cells with high AXL expression. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:2052-2061. [PMID: 32291856 PMCID: PMC7293078 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
KRAS mutation is frequently seen in a subtype of ovarian cancer categorized as type 1. The KRAS-MAPK pathway, which is closely involved in type 1 cancer progression, is under the regulation of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). AXL, one of the RTKs, has been reported to be overexpressed in ovarian cancer and contributes to the poor prognosis. However, there is no useful target-based agent against such gene profiles. We examined the combined effect of the dual RAF/MEK inhibitor CH5126766 and AXL inhibitor R428 on the growth of ovarian cancer HEY-T30 and OVCAR-5 cell lines, both of which bear KRAS mutation and express AXL at a high level, using the WST-8 assay and the colony formation assay. The synergistic effect of the combination was evaluated by the combination index. The apoptotic cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of apoptotic proteins and the phosphorylation of MAPK and AKT pathway proteins were investigated by western blotting. We found that CH5126766 and R428 suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK and AKT, respectively, and their combination synergistically inhibited the growth of both cell lines with enhancement of apoptosis accompanied by the Bim upregulation. Combined treatment with CH5126766 and R428 is expected as the novel therapeutic option for KRAS-mutated ovarian cancer with high expression of AXL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiori Umemura
- Department of Molecular‐Targeting PreventionGraduate School of Medical ScienceKyoto Prefectural University of MedicineKyotoJapan,Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyGraduate School of Medical ScienceKyoto Prefectural University of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Yoshihiro Sowa
- Department of Molecular‐Targeting PreventionGraduate School of Medical ScienceKyoto Prefectural University of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Yosuke Iizumi
- Department of Molecular‐Targeting PreventionGraduate School of Medical ScienceKyoto Prefectural University of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Jo Kitawaki
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyGraduate School of Medical ScienceKyoto Prefectural University of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Toshiyuki Sakai
- Department of Molecular‐Targeting PreventionGraduate School of Medical ScienceKyoto Prefectural University of MedicineKyotoJapan,Department of Drug Discovery MedicineGraduate School of Medical ScienceKyoto Prefectural University of MedicineKyotoJapan
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93
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Weekes C, Lockhart A, LoRusso P, Murray E, Park E, Tagen M, Singh J, Sarkar I, Mueller L, Dokainish H, Shapiro G, Burris H. A Phase Ib Study to Evaluate the MEK Inhibitor Cobimetinib in Combination with the ERK1/2 Inhibitor GDC-0994 in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors. Oncologist 2020; 25:833-e1438. [PMID: 32311798 DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2020-0292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
LESSONS LEARNED Despite strong preclinical rationale, combined cobimetinib-mediated MEK inhibition and GDC-0994-mediated ERK inhibition was not tolerable on two 28-day dosing schedules in which GDC-0994 was given for 21 days continuously and cobimetinib administered over 21 days either continuously or intermittently. Adverse events were as expected for mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway inhibition, but overlapping and cumulative toxicities could not be managed on either dosing schedule. Pharmacokinetic parameters of cobimetinib and GDC-0994 given in combination were similar to those previously observed in monotherapy studies, so that there was no evidence of drug-drug interaction. Cycle 1 metabolic responses were observed by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography but were not predictive of outcome measured by RECIST 1.1. BACKGROUND Simultaneous targeting of multiple nodes in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway offers the prospect of enhanced activity in RAS-RAF-mutant tumors. This phase Ib trial evaluated the combination of cobimetinib (MEK inhibitor) and GDC-0994 (ERK inhibitor) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors. METHODS Cobimetinib and GDC-0994 were administered orally on two separate dosing schedules. Arm A consisted of concurrent cobimetinib and GDC-0994 once daily for 21 days of a 28-day cycle; Arm B consisted of intermittent dosing of cobimetinib on a 28-day cycle concurrent with GDC-0994 daily for 21 days of a 28-day cycle. RESULTS In total, 24 patients were enrolled. For Arm A, owing to cumulative grade 1-2 toxicity, the dose of cobimetinib was decreased. For Arm B, dose increases of GDC-0994 and cobimetinib were intolerable with grade 3 dose-limiting toxicities of myocardial infarction and rash. Pharmacokinetic data did not show evidence of a drug-drug interaction. Overall, seven patients had a best overall response of stable disease (SD) and one patient with pancreatic adenocarcinoma had an unconfirmed partial response. CONCLUSION The safety profile of MEK and ERK inhibition demonstrated classic MAPK inhibitor-related adverse events (AEs). However, overlapping AEs and cumulative toxicity could not be adequately managed on either dosing schedule, restricting the ability to further develop this combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Weekes
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Albert Lockhart
- Division of Oncology, Washington University Medical School, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Patricia LoRusso
- Smilow Cancer Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Elaine Murray
- Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Erica Park
- Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mike Tagen
- Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | | | - Lars Mueller
- Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | | | - Howard Burris
- Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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94
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Gumusay O, Vitiello PP, Wabl C, Corcoran RB, Bardelli A, Rugo HS. Strategic Combinations to Prevent and Overcome Resistance to Targeted Therapies in Oncology. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2020; 40:e292-e308. [PMID: 32453634 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_280845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in the understanding of underlying molecular signaling mechanisms of cancer susceptibility and progression have led to an increase in the use of targeted therapies for cancer treatment. Despite improvements in survival with new treatment options in oncology, resistance to therapy is a major obstacle to the long-term effectiveness of targeted agents in metastatic cancer treatment, culminating in insensitivity to treatment and tumor outgrowth. Adaptive resistance can play an important role in primary and upfront resistance to therapy as well as in secondary or acquired resistance. By focusing on colorectal and breast tumors, we discuss how therapeutic combinations based on specific drivers of tumor biology can be used to overcome resistance. We present how monitoring tumor dynamics over time may allow early adaptation of treatment. Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide, and the majority of these cancers are sensitive to endocrine therapy (ET) blocking the production of or response to estrogen. However, primary and acquired resistance limits efficacy. Recent combinations of agents targeted to pathways that drive tumor growth resistance with ET have resulted in remarkable improvements in disease response and control, improving survival in some settings. In this review, we summarize adaptive resistance mechanisms, approaches to combination strategies, and dynamic tumor monitoring to improve efficacy and overcome resistance. We provide examples of combination therapy to enhance the efficacy of targeted therapies in breast and colorectal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Gumusay
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Gaziosmanpasa University Faculty of Medicine, Tokat, Turkey
| | - Pietro Paolo Vitiello
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo (TO), Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina di Precisione, Unità di Oncologia Medica, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Italy
| | - Chiara Wabl
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA
| | | | - Alberto Bardelli
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo (TO), Italy.,Candiolo Cancer Institute, Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Hope S Rugo
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA
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95
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Usta D, Sigaud R, Buhl JL, Selt F, Marquardt V, Pauck D, Jansen J, Pusch S, Ecker J, Hielscher T, Vollmer J, Sommerkamp AC, Rubner T, Hargrave D, van Tilburg CM, Pfister SM, Jones DTW, Remke M, Brummer T, Witt O, Milde T. A Cell-Based MAPK Reporter Assay Reveals Synergistic MAPK Pathway Activity Suppression by MAPK Inhibitor Combination in BRAF-Driven Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma Cells. Mol Cancer Ther 2020; 19:1736-1750. [PMID: 32451331 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-19-1021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pilocytic astrocytomas as well as other pediatric low-grade gliomas (pLGG) exhibit genetic events leading to aberrant activation of the MAPK pathway. The most common alterations are KIAA1549:BRAF fusions and BRAFV600E and NF1 mutations. Novel drugs targeting the MAPK pathway (MAPKi) are prime candidates for the treatment of these single-pathway diseases. We aimed to develop an assay suitable for preclinical testing of MAPKi in pLGGs with the goal to identify novel MAPK pathway-suppressing synergistic drug combinations. A reporter plasmid (pDIPZ) with a MAPK-responsive ELK-1-binding element driving the expression of destabilized firefly luciferase was generated and packaged using a lentiviral vector system. Pediatric glioma cell lines with a BRAF fusion (DKFZ-BT66) and a BRAFV600E mutation (BT-40) background, respectively, were stably transfected. Modulation of the MAPK pathway activity by MAPKi was measured using the luciferase reporter and validated by detection of phosphorylated protein levels. A screening of a MAPKi library was performed, and synergy of selected combinations was calculated. Screening of a MAPKi library revealed MEK inhibitors as the class inhibiting the pathway with the lowest IC50s, followed by ERK and next-generation RAF inhibitors. Combination treatments with different MAPKi classes showed synergistic effects in BRAF fusion as well as BRAFV600E mutation backgrounds. Here, we report a novel reporter assay for medium- to high-throughput preclinical drug testing in pLGG cell lines. The assay confirmed MEK, ERK, and next-generation RAF inhibitors as potential treatment approaches for KIAA1549:BRAF and BRAFV600E-mutated pLGGs. In addition, the assay revealed that combination treatments synergistically suppressed MAPK pathway activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diren Usta
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,KiTZ Clinical Trial Unit (ZIPO), Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Romain Sigaud
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Juliane L Buhl
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florian Selt
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,KiTZ Clinical Trial Unit (ZIPO), Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Viktoria Marquardt
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Germany, and Department of Pediatric Neuro-Oncogenomics, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David Pauck
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Germany, and Department of Pediatric Neuro-Oncogenomics, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jennifer Jansen
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research (IMMZ), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany, Centre for Biological Signalling Studies BIOSS, University of Freiburg, Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg (CCCF) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Freiburg, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Pusch
- Department of Neuropathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jonas Ecker
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,KiTZ Clinical Trial Unit (ZIPO), Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Hielscher
- Division of Biostatistics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johanna Vollmer
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexander C Sommerkamp
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,Pediatric Glioma Research Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tobias Rubner
- Flow Cytometry Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Darren Hargrave
- Neurooncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cornelis M van Tilburg
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,KiTZ Clinical Trial Unit (ZIPO), Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,KiTZ Clinical Trial Unit (ZIPO), Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David T W Jones
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Pediatric Glioma Research Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marc Remke
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Germany, and Department of Pediatric Neuro-Oncogenomics, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tilman Brummer
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research (IMMZ), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany, Centre for Biological Signalling Studies BIOSS, University of Freiburg, Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg (CCCF) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Freiburg, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Olaf Witt
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,KiTZ Clinical Trial Unit (ZIPO), Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Till Milde
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany. .,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,KiTZ Clinical Trial Unit (ZIPO), Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
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96
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Tao Q, Fang F, Li J, Wang Y, Zhao C, Liang J, Ma X, Wang H. A conjugated mTOR/MEK bifunctional inhibitor as potential polypharmacological anticancer agent: the prototype compound discovery. Med Chem Res 2020; 29:519-527. [PMID: 32435126 PMCID: PMC7223898 DOI: 10.1007/s00044-020-02502-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
mTOR/MEK bifunctional inhibitors have the potential to surmount the drug resistance aroused from cross talk between PI3K/Akt/mTOR (PAM) and Ras/MEK/ERK pathways. Herein, we report the discovery of a conjugated dual-targeted molecule, compound 13, as the prototype mTOR/MEK bifunctional inhibitor. It exhibited moderately high inhibitory activity against mTOR and MEK1 with IC50 values of 0.19 μM and 0.98 μM, respectively. In particular, it displayed attractive antiproliferative activity against both A549 (GI50 = 4.66 μM) and HCT116 (GI50 = 5.47 μM) cell lines. To our knowledge, it has been the first example of a conjugated mTOR/MEK bifunctional inhibitor. In addition, from this proof-of-principle study, it has become evident that the single-agent dual inhibition of mTOR and MEK can be fulfilled via covalently attaching mTOR kinase inhibitor to an allosteric MEK inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiangqiang Tao
- 1School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012 China
| | - Fang Fang
- 1School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012 China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012 China
| | - Jiaming Li
- 1School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012 China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012 China
| | - Yong Wang
- 1School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012 China
| | - Can Zhao
- 1School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012 China
| | - Jingtai Liang
- 1School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012 China
| | - Xiaodong Ma
- 1School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012 China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012 China
| | - Hao Wang
- 3Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001 China
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97
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Yuan X, Tang Z, Du R, Yao Z, Cheung SH, Zhang X, Wei J, Zhao Y, Du Y, Liu Y, Hu X, Gong W, Liu Y, Gao Y, Huang Z, Cao Z, Wei M, Zhou C, Wang L, Rosen N, Smith PD, Luo L. RAF dimer inhibition enhances the antitumor activity of MEK inhibitors in K-RAS mutant tumors. Mol Oncol 2020; 14:1833-1849. [PMID: 32336014 PMCID: PMC7400788 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The mutation of K‐RAS represents one of the most frequent genetic alterations in cancer. Targeting of downstream effectors of RAS, including of MEK and ERK, has limited clinical success in cancer patients with K‐RAS mutations. The reduced sensitivity of K‐RAS‐mutated cells to certain MEK inhibitors (MEKi) is associated with the feedback phosphorylation of MEK by C‐RAF and with the reactivation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Here, we report that the RAF dimer inhibitors lifirafenib (BGB‐283) and compound C show a strong synergistic effect with MEKi, including mirdametinib (PD‐0325901) and selumetinib, in suppressing the proliferation of K‐RAS‐mutated non‐small‐cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines. This synergistic effect was not observed with the B‐RAFV600E selective inhibitor vemurafenib. Our mechanistic analysis revealed that RAF dimer inhibition suppresses RAF‐dependent MEK reactivation and leads to the sustained inhibition of MAPK signaling in K‐RAS‐mutated cells. This synergistic effect was also observed in several K‐RAS mutant mouse xenograft models. A pharmacodynamic analysis supported a role for the synergistic phospho‐ERK blockade in enhancing the antitumor activity observed in the K‐RAS mutant models. These findings support a vertical inhibition strategy in which RAF dimer and MEKi are combined to target K‐RAS‐mutated cancers, and have led to a Phase 1b/2 combination therapy study of lifirafenib and mirdametinib in solid tumor patients with K‐RAS mutations and other MAPK pathway aberrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Yuan
- Department of Discovery Biology, BeiGene (Beijing) Co., Ltd., China
| | - Zhiyu Tang
- Department of Pharmacology, BeiGene (Beijing) Co., Ltd., China
| | - Rong Du
- Department of Discovery Biology, BeiGene (Beijing) Co., Ltd., China
| | - Zhan Yao
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shing-Hu Cheung
- Department of Discovery Biology, BeiGene (Beijing) Co., Ltd., China
| | - Xinwen Zhang
- Department of Discovery Biology, BeiGene (Beijing) Co., Ltd., China
| | - Jing Wei
- Department of Discovery Biology, BeiGene (Beijing) Co., Ltd., China
| | - Yuan Zhao
- Department of Discovery Biology, BeiGene (Beijing) Co., Ltd., China
| | - Yunguang Du
- Department of Biochemistry, BeiGene (Beijing) Co., Ltd., China
| | - Ye Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, BeiGene (Beijing) Co., Ltd., China
| | - Xiaoxia Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, BeiGene (Beijing) Co., Ltd., China
| | - Wenfeng Gong
- Department of Pharmacology, BeiGene (Beijing) Co., Ltd., China
| | - Yong Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, BeiGene (Beijing) Co., Ltd., China
| | - Yajuan Gao
- Department of Pharmacology, BeiGene (Beijing) Co., Ltd., China
| | - Zhiyue Huang
- Global Statistics and Data Science, BeiGene (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., China
| | - Zongfu Cao
- Department of Pharmacology, BeiGene (Beijing) Co., Ltd., China
| | - Min Wei
- Department of Biochemistry, BeiGene (Beijing) Co., Ltd., China
| | - Changyou Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, BeiGene (Beijing) Co., Ltd., China
| | - Lai Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, BeiGene (Beijing) Co., Ltd., China
| | - Neal Rosen
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paul D Smith
- AstraZeneca, CRUK Cambridge Institute, Robinson Way, UK
| | - Lusong Luo
- External Innovation, BeiGene, Ltd., San Mateo, CA, USA
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98
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The limitations of targeting MEK signalling in Glioblastoma therapy. Sci Rep 2020; 10:7401. [PMID: 32366879 PMCID: PMC7198577 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64289-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GB) is a highly aggressive, difficult to treat brain tumour. Successful treatment, consisting of maximal safe tumour de-bulking, followed by radiotherapy and treatment with the alkylating agent Temozolomide (TMZ), can extend patient survival to approximately 15 months. Combination treatments based on the inhibition of the PI3K pathway, which is the most frequently activated signalling cascade in GB, have so far only shown limited therapeutic success. Here, we use the clinically approved MEK inhibitor Trametinib to investigate its potential use in managing GB. Trametinib has a strong anti-proliferative effect on established GB cell lines, stem cell-like cells and their differentiated progeny and while it does not enhance anti-proliferative and cell death-inducing properties of the standard treatment, i.e. exposure to radiation or TMZ, neither does MEK inhibition block their effectiveness. However, upon MEK inhibition some cell populations appear to favour cell-substrate interactions in a sprouting assay and become more invasive in the Chorioallantoic Membrane assay, which assesses cell penetration into an organic membrane. While this increased invasion can be modulated by additional inhibition of the PI3K signalling cascade, there is no apparent benefit of blocking MEK compared to targeting PI3K.
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99
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Xu WF, Wang ZJ, Li K, Shen YQ, Lu K, Lv XY, Wen YX, Jin RM. Huai Qi Huang-induced Apoptosis via Down-regulating PRKCH and Inhibiting RAF/MEK/ERK Pathway in Ph+ Leukemia Cells. Curr Med Sci 2020; 40:354-362. [DOI: 10.1007/s11596-020-2181-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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100
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Phase I/II Trial of Immunotherapy With Durvalumab and Tremelimumab With Continuous or Intermittent MEK Inhibitor Selumetinib in NSCLC: Early Trial Report. Clin Lung Cancer 2020; 21:384-388. [PMID: 32299768 DOI: 10.1016/j.cllc.2020.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Revised: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Current strategies to improve clinical outcomes in v-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients include mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 inhibitor and programmed death (PD) 1 (PD-1)/PD ligand 1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint blockade combinations. Experience from treatment of melanoma suggests that anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 combinations improve outcomes, but similar benefits remain to be seen for treatment of NSCLC. This report describes a single center, investigator-initiated phase I/II clinical trial to compare 2 combination schedules of intermittent or continuous selumetinib (AZD6244, ARRY-142886), tremelimumab (anti-CTLA-4), and durvalumab (anti-PD-L1) treatment with historical controls in patients with previously treated, unresectable NSCLC. Forty patients will be accrued at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Primary objectives include maximum tolerated dose (dose escalation phase) and progression-free survival (dose expansion phase). Secondary objectives include response rate according to Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors version 1.1, disease control rate, overall survival, safety, and duration of response. Exploratory objectives are to assess biomarkers of response and resistance on the basis of biopsies and peripheral blood taken before and after treatment using immune profiling, transcriptome, and protein readouts.
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