Discovery of Novel Allosteric EGFR L858R Inhibitors for the Treatment of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer as a Single Agent or in Combination with Osimertinib

Addressing resistance to third-generation EGFR TKIs such as osimertinib via the EGFR^C797S mutation remains a highly unmet need in EGFR-driven non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Herein, we present the discovery of the allosteric EGFR inhibitor 57, a novel fourth-generation inhibitor to overcome EGFR^C797S-mediated resistance in patients harboring the activating EGFR^L858R mutation. 57 exhibits an improved potency compared to previous allosteric EGFR inhibitors. To our knowledge, 57 is the first allosteric EGFR inhibitor that demonstrates robust tumor regression in a mutant EGFR^L858R/C797S tumor model. Additionally, 57 is active in an H1975 EGFR^L858R/T790M NSCLC xenograft model and shows superior efficacy in combination with osimertinib compared to the single agents. Our data highlight the potential of 57 as a single agent against EGFR^L858R/C797S and EGFR^{L858R/T790M/C797S} and as combination therapy for EGFR^L858R- and EGFR^L858R/T790M-driven NSCLC.

Activity and resistance of a brain-permeable paradox breaker BRAF inhibitor in melanoma brain metastasis

The therapeutic benefit of approved BRAF and MEK inhibitors (BRAFi/MEKi) in patients with brain metastatic BRAF V600E/K-mutated melanoma is limited and transient. Resistance largely occurs through the restoration of MAPK signaling via paradoxical BRAF activation, highlighting the need for more effective therapeutic options. Aiming to address this clinical challenge, we characterized the activity of a potent, brain-penetrant paradox breaker BRAFi (compound 1a, C1a) as first line therapy and following progression upon treatment with approved BRAFi and BRAFi/MEKi therapies. C1a activity was evaluated in vitro and in vivo in melanoma cell lines and patient-derived models of BRAF V600E-mutant melanoma brain metastases following relapse after treatment with BRAFi/MEKi. C1a showed superior efficacy compared to approved BRAFi, both in subcutaneous and brain metastatic models. Importantly, C1a manifested potent and prolonged antitumor activity even in models that progressed on BRAFi/MEKi treatment. Analysis of mechanisms of resistance to C1a revealed MAPK reactivation under drug treatment as the predominant resistance-driving event in both subcutaneous and intracranial tumors. Specifically, BRAF kinase domain duplication was identified as a frequently occurring driver of resistance to C1a. Combination therapies of C1a and anti-PD1 antibody proved to significantly reduce disease recurrence. Collectively, these preclinical studies validate the outstanding antitumor activity of C1a in brain metastasis, support clinical investigation of this agent in patients pretreated with BRAFi/MEKi, unveil genetic drivers of tumor escape from C1a, and identify a combinatorial treatment that achieves long-lasting responses.

DUSP4 protects BRAF- and NRAS-mutant melanoma from oncogene overdose through modulation of MITF

MAPK inhibitors (MAPKi) remain an important component of the standard of care for metastatic melanoma. However, acquired resistance to these drugs limits their therapeutic benefit. Tumor cells can become refractory to MAPKi by reactivation of ERK. When this happens, tumors often become sensitive to drug withdrawal. This drug addiction phenotype results from the hyperactivation of the oncogenic pathway, a phenomenon commonly referred to as oncogene overdose. Several feedback mechanisms are involved in regulating ERK signaling. However, the genes that serve as gatekeepers of oncogene overdose in mutant melanoma remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that depletion of the ERK phosphatase, DUSP4, leads to toxic levels of MAPK activation in both drug-naive and drug-resistant mutant melanoma cells. Importantly, ERK hyperactivation is associated with down-regulation of lineage-defining genes including MITF Our results offer an alternative therapeutic strategy to treat mutant melanoma patients with acquired MAPKi resistance and those unable to tolerate MAPKi.

Preclinical characterization of a next generation brain permeable, paradox breaker BRAF inhibitor

PURPOSE

Disease progression in BRAF V600E/K positive melanomas to approved BRAF/MEK inhibitor therapies is associated with the development of resistance mediated by RAF dimer inducing mechanisms. Moreover, progressing disease after BRAFi/MEKi frequently involves brain metastasis. Here we present the development of a novel BRAF inhibitor (Compound Ia) designed to address the limitations of available BRAFi/MEKi.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

The novel, brain penetrant, paradox breaker BRAFi is comprehensively characterized in vitro, ex vivo and in several preclinical in vivo models of melanoma mimicking peripheral disease, brain metastatic disease and acquired resistance to first generation BRAFi.

RESULTS

Compound Ia manifested elevated potency and selectivity, which triggered cytotoxic activity restricted to BRAF-mutated models and did not induce RAF paradoxical activation. In comparison to approved BRAFi at clinical relevant doses, this novel agent showed a substantially improved activity in a number of diverse BRAF V600E models. In addition, as a single agent, it outperformed a currently approved BRAFi/MEKi combination in a model of acquired resistance to clinically available BRAFi. Compound Ia presents high Central Nervous System (CNS) penetration and triggered evident superiority over approved BRAFi in a macro-metastatic and in a disseminated micro-metastatic brain model. Potent inhibition of MAPK by Compound Ia was also demonstrated in patient-derived tumor samples.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel BRAFi demonstrates preclinically the potential to outperform available targeted therapies for the treatment of BRAF-mutant tumors, thus supporting its clinical investigation.

Spirocyclic Thiohydantoin Antagonists of F877L and Wild-Type Androgen Receptor for Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Androgen receptor (AR) transcriptional reactivation plays a key role in the development and progression of lethal castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Recurrent alterations in the AR enable persistent AR pathway signaling and drive resistance to the treatment of second-generation antiandrogens. AR F877L, a point mutation in the ligand binding domain of the AR, was identified in patients who acquired resistance to enzalutamide or apalutamide. In parallel to our previous structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of compound 4 (JNJ-pan-AR) and clinical stage compound 5 (JNJ-63576253), we discovered additional AR antagonists that provide opportunities for future development. Here we report a highly potent series of spirocyclic thiohydantoins as AR antagonists for the treatment of the F877L mutant and wild-type CRPC.

Abstract 1717: MAP4K1 inhibition enhances immune cell activation and anti-tumor immunity in preclinical tumor models

Hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1, MAP4K1) is a serine/threonine kinase that has been demonstrated to have suppressive effects across a range of immune cells, including T cells and dendritic cells. Loss of MAP4K1 kinase activity is sufficient to enhance T cell receptor (TCR) signaling resulting in robust anti-tumor immunity alone and in combination with checkpoint inhibition. These data support that MAP4K1 is a novel and attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. We have designed a series of potent, selective, and orally bioavailable inhibitors of MAP4K1. Treatment of primary human T cells or peripheral blood with either BLU2069 or BLU6348 was able to inhibit phosphorylation of pSLP76, a scaffolding protein that regulates MAPK downstream of the TCR. In addition, we show that compound treatment can enhance cytokine secretion and proliferation in human T cells in response to TCR crosslinking. The therapeutic benefit of MAP4K1 inhibition alone and in combination with anti-PD-L1 was evaluated in multiple syngeneic mouse tumor models including MCA205, MC38 and EMT-6. Treatment with either compound alone led to a reduction in tumor growth that was further enhanced when combined with anti-PD-L1 therapy. When tumors were grown in immunocompromised mice (MCA-205) or in the setting of CD8+ T cell depletion (MC-38), the anti-tumor effect of BLU2069 and BLU6348 respectively was lost, confirming the importance of immune cells in compound mediated antitumor effects. We further show that MCA205 tumors harvested from mice treated with BLU2069 had increased intratumoral CD8+ T cell infiltration, resulting in enhanced CD8/Treg ratios. In addition, transcriptional analysis of tumor lysates showed that BLU2069 significantly increased genes associated with an effector phenotype. These data support that pharmacological inhibition of MAP4K1 reduced tumor burden and enhanced antitumor immunity in preclinical tumor models. Finally, we show that MAP4K1 inhibition can enhance CD3/CD28-induced IL2 and IFNγ in human tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) generated from melanoma or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) primary tumors. This work describes the identification of potent small molecule inhibitors of MAP4K1 which could be novel therapeutic agents and induce an effective immune response either alone or in combination with approved checkpoint inhibitors.

Citation Format: Kerrie Faia, Alberto Toso, Kristina Fetalvero, Marly Roche, Steven Bench, Erin O'Hearn, Qiongfang Cao, Kerry-Ann Bright, Debora Paduraru, Andrea Romagnani, Weifan Weng, Tina Zimmermann, Michael Burke, Joshua Close, Luke Green, Joseph Kim, Chandra Miduturu, Alison Ribeiro, Marina Bacac, Sylvia Herter, Emanuele Perola, Michael Sheets, Jan Eckmann, Gordon Heidkamp, Tary Traore, Erik Gerson, Rich Woessner, Carsten Wolter, Felix Scheuplein, Nisha Perez, Timothy LaBranche, Grace Silva, Chaoyang Ye, Caitlin Utt, Stefan Gross, James R. Bischoff, Marion Dorsch, Tim Guzi, Klaus Hoeflich, Jason Brubaker. MAP4K1 inhibition enhances immune cell activation and anti-tumor immunity in preclinical tumor models [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 1717.

Discovery of JNJ-63576253, a Next-Generation Androgen Receptor Antagonist Active Against Wild-Type and Clinically Relevant Ligand Binding Domain Mutations in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Numerous mechanisms of resistance arise in response to treatment with second-generation androgen receptor (AR) pathway inhibitors in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Among these, point mutations in the ligand binding domain can transform antagonists into agonists, driving the disease through activation of AR signaling. To address this unmet need, we report the discovery of JNJ-63576253, a next-generation AR pathway inhibitor that potently abrogates AR signaling in models of human prostate adenocarcinoma. JNJ-63576253 is advancing as a clinical candidate with potential effectiveness in the subset of patients who do not respond to or are progressing while on second-generation AR-targeted therapeutics.

Discovery of JNJ-63576253: A Clinical Stage Androgen Receptor Antagonist for F877L Mutant and Wild-Type Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC)

Persistent androgen receptor (AR) activation drives therapeutic resistance to second-generation AR pathway inhibitors and contributes to the progression of advanced prostate cancer. One resistance mechanism is point mutations in the ligand binding domain of AR that can transform antagonists into agonists. The AR F877L mutation, identified in patients treated with enzalutamide or apalutamide, confers resistance to both enzalutamide and apalutamide. Compound 4 (JNJ-pan-AR) was identified as a pan-AR antagonist with potent activity against wild-type and clinically relevant AR mutations including F877L. Metabolite identification studies revealed a latent bioactivation pathway associated with 4. Subsequent lead optimization of 4 led to amelioration of this pathway and nomination of 5 (JNJ-63576253) as a clinical stage, next-generation AR antagonist for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

Modulating Androgen Receptor-Driven Transcription in Prostate Cancer with Selective CDK9 Inhibitors

Castration-resistant prostate cancers (CRPCs) lose sensitivity to androgen-deprivation therapies but frequently remain dependent on oncogenic transcription driven by the androgen receptor (AR) and its splice variants. To discover modulators of AR-variant activity, we used a lysate-based small-molecule microarray assay and identified KI-ARv-03 as an AR-variant complex binder that reduces AR-driven transcription and proliferation in prostate cancer cells. We deduced KI-ARv-03 to be a potent, selective inhibitor of CDK9, an important cofactor for AR, MYC, and other oncogenic transcription factors. Further optimization resulted in KB-0742, an orally bioavailable, selective CDK9 inhibitor with potent anti-tumor activity in CRPC models. In 22Rv1 cells, KB-0742 rapidly downregulates nascent transcription, preferentially depleting short half-life transcripts and AR-driven oncogenic programs. In vivo, oral administration of KB-0742 significantly reduced tumor growth in CRPC, supporting CDK9 inhibition as a promising therapeutic strategy to target AR dependence in CRPC.

Cellular Resistance Mechanisms to Targeted Protein Degradation Converge Toward Impairment of the Engaged Ubiquitin Transfer Pathway

Proteolysis targeting chimeras are bifunctional small molecules capable of recruiting a target protein of interest to an E3 ubiquitin ligase that facilitates target ubiquitination followed by proteasome-mediated degradation. The first molecules acting on this novel therapeutic paradigm have just entered clinical testing. Here, by using Bromodomain Containing 4 (BRD4) degraders engaging cereblon and Von Hippel-Lindau E3 ligases, we investigated key determinants of resistance to this new mode of action. A loss-of-function screen for genes required for BRD4 degradation revealed strong dependence on the E2 and E3 ubiquitin ligases as well as for members of the COP9 signalosome complex for both cereblon- and Von Hippel-Lindau-engaging BRD4 degraders. Cancer cell lines raised to resist BRD4 degraders manifested a degrader-specific mechanism of resistance, resulting from the loss of components of the ubiquitin proteasome system. In addition, degrader profiling in a cancer cell line panel revealed a differential pattern of activity of Von Hippel-Lindau- and cereblon-based degraders, highlighting the need for the identification of degradation-predictive biomarkers enabling effective patient stratification.

PIM kinases as potential therapeutic targets in a subset of peripheral T cell lymphoma cases

Currently, there is no efficient therapy for patients with peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL). The Proviral Integration site of Moloney murine leukemia virus (PIM) kinases are important mediators of cell survival. We aimed to determine the therapeutic value of PIM kinases because they are overexpressed in PTCL patients, T cell lines and primary tumoral T cells. PIM kinases were inhibited genetically (using small interfering and short hairpin RNAs) and pharmacologically (mainly with the pan-PIM inhibitor (PIMi) ETP-39010) in a panel of 8 PTCL cell lines. Effects on cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle, key proteins and gene expression were evaluated. Individual inhibition of each of the PIM genes did not affect PTCL cell survival, partially because of a compensatory mechanism among the three PIM genes. In contrast, pharmacological inhibition of all PIM kinases strongly induced apoptosis in all PTCL cell lines, without cell cycle arrest, in part through the induction of DNA damage. Therefore, pan-PIMi synergized with Cisplatin. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of PIM reduced primary tumoral T cell viability without affecting normal T cells ex vivo. Since anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK+ ALCL) cell lines were the most sensitive to the pan-PIMi, we tested the simultaneous inhibition of ALK and PIM kinases and found a strong synergistic effect in ALK+ ALCL cell lines. Our findings suggest that PIM kinase inhibition could be of therapeutic value in a subset of PTCL, especially when combined with ALK inhibitors, and might be clinically beneficial in ALK+ ALCL.

Fragment-hopping-based discovery of a novel chemical series of proto-oncogene PIM-1 kinase inhibitors

A new chemical series, triazolo[4,5-b]pyridines, has been identified as an inhibitor of PIM-1 by a chemotype hopping strategy based on a chemically feasible fragment database. In this case, structure-based virtual screening and in silico chemogenomics provide added value to the previously reported strategy of prioritizing among proposed novel scaffolds. Pairwise comparison between compound 3, recently discontinued from Phase I clinical trials, and molecule 8, bearing the selected novel scaffold, shows that the primary activities are similar (IC(50) in the 20 to 150 nM range). At the same time, some ADME properties (for example, an increase of more than 45% in metabolic stability in human liver microsomes) and the off-target selectivity (for example, an increase of more than 2 log units in IC(50)vs. FLT3) are improved, and the intellectual property (IP) position is enhanced. The discovery of a reliable starting point that fulfills critical criteria for a plausible medicinal chemistry project is demonstrated in this prospective study.

Simultaneous inhibition of pan-phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases and MEK as a potential therapeutic strategy in peripheral T-cell lymphomas

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas are very aggressive hematologic malignancies for which there is no targeted therapy. New, rational approaches are necessary to improve the very poor outcome in these patients. Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase is one of the most important pathways in cell survival and proliferation. We hypothesized that phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase inhibitors could be rationally selected drugs for treating peripheral T-cell lymphomas. Several phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase isoforms were inhibited genetically (using small interfering RNA) and pharmacologically (with CAL-101 and GDC-0941 compounds) in a panel of six peripheral and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cell lines. Cell viability was measured by intracellular ATP content; apoptosis and cell cycle changes were checked by flow cytometry. Pharmacodynamic biomarkers were assessed by western blot. The PIK3CD gene, which encodes the δ isoform of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase, was overexpressed in cell lines and primary samples, and correlated with survival pathways. However, neither genetic nor specific pharmacological inhibition of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase δ affected cell survival. In contrast, the pan-phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase inhibitor GDC-0941 arrested all T-cell lymphoma cell lines in the G1 phase and induced apoptosis in a subset of them. We identified phospho-GSK3β and phospho-p70S6K as potential biomarkers of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase inhibitors. Interestingly, an increase in ERK phosphorylation was observed in some GDC -0941-treated T-cell lymphoma cell lines, suggesting the presence of a combination of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase and MEK inhibitors. A highly synergistic effect was found between the two inhibitors, with the combination enhancing cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 in all T-cell lymphoma cell lines, and reducing cell viability in primary tumor T cells ex vivo. These results suggest that the combined treatment of pan-phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase + MEK inhibitors could be more effective than single phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase inhibitor treatment, and therefore, that this combination could be of therapeutic value for treating peripheral and cutaneous T-cell lymphomas.

Rapid identification of ETP-46992, orally bioavailable PI3K inhibitor, selective versus mTOR

Phosphoinositide-3-kinases (PI3K) are a family of lipid kinases mediating numerous cell processes such as proliferation, migration and differentiation. PI3K is an important target for cancer therapeutics due to the deregulation of this signaling pathway in a wide variety of human cancers. Herein, we describe the rapid identification of ETP-46992, within 2-aminocarbonyl imidazo [1,2-a] pyrazine series, with suitable pharmacokinetic (PK) properties that allows the establishment of mechanism of action and efficacy in vivo studies. ETP-46992 showed tumor growth inhibition in a GEMM mouse tumor model driven by a K-Ras(G12V) oncogenic mutation and in tumor xenograft models with PI3K pathway deregulated (BT474).

Pten positively regulates brown adipose function, energy expenditure, and longevity

Aging in worms and flies is regulated by the PI3K/Akt/Foxo pathway. Here we extend this paradigm to mammals. Pten(tg) mice carrying additional genomic copies of Pten are protected from cancer and present a significant extension of life span that is independent of their lower cancer incidence. Interestingly, Pten(tg) mice have an increased energy expenditure and protection from metabolic pathologies. The brown adipose tissue (BAT) of Pten(tg) mice is hyperactive and presents high levels of the uncoupling protein Ucp1, which we show is a target of Foxo1. Importantly, a synthetic PI3K inhibitor also increases energy expenditure and hyperactivates the BAT in mice. These effects can be recapitulated in isolated brown adipocytes and, moreover, implants of Pten(tg) fibroblasts programmed with Prdm16 and Cebpβ form subcutaneous brown adipose pads more efficiently than wild-type fibroblasts. These observations uncover a role of Pten in promoting energy expenditure, thus decreasing nutrient storage and its associated damage.

Imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazines as novel PI3K inhibitors

Phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) is an important target for cancer therapeutics due to the deregulation of its signaling pathway in a wide variety of human cancers. We describe herein a novel series of imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazines as PI3K inhibitors.

Abstract 627: Etp-47187 a novel potent and efficacious dual inhibitor of phosphoinositide-3-kinases and mTOR

The phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway is activated in a variety of solid and non-solid tumors. In many instances this is due to either activating mutations in the catalytic subunit of PI3Kα, p110α, or inactivating mutations or deletions of the tumor suppressor PTEN. In addition, the PI3K pathway is activated by mutations in certain receptor tyrosine kinases as well as by mutation of the oncogene KRAS. All of these lesions lead to enhanced activity of both PI3K and mTOR. Hence there is great interest to discover inhibitors of PI3K and mTOR for the treatment for cancer. Following a rational design strategy, we identified the fused thiadiazole derivative ETP-47187 as a potent dual inhibitor of PI3Kα and mTOR Kis = 0.18 nM and 1.2 nM, respectively. ETP-47187 also inhibits three oncogenc mutants of p110α: p110α E542K Ki = 0.38 nM, p110α E545K Ki = 0.2 nM and p110α H1047R Ki = 0.29 nM as well as PI3Kβ, PI3KΔ and PI3Kγ Kis 2.7, 0.26 and 1.5 nM, respectively. The compound inhibits PI3K signaling in treated tumor cell lines; the EC50 for inhibition of the phosphorylation of Akt was 5 nM. ETP-47187 has a pharmacokinetic profile suitable for oral dosing in mice (%F = 73%, Cl = 0.11 L/hr/kg; Vds = 0.38 L/h/kg). Treatment of tumor bearing mice with the compound causes a dose dependent reduction in P-Akt levels in the tumor. Once a day treatment of mice bearing human tumor xenografts with ETP-47187 results in significant tumor growth delay and is well tolerated. In a mouse model of lung cancer induced by expression of an oncogenic mutant KRAS, treatment with ETP-47187 blocked tumor growth and lead to a significant PET response. These and combination data will be discussed. We believe ETP-47187 and compounds like it are suitable to propose for clinical development in cancer patients with activated PI3K signaling.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 627. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-627

Pim 1 kinase inhibitor ETP-45299 suppresses cellular proliferation and synergizes with PI3K inhibition

The serine/threonine Pim 1 kinase is an oncogene whose expression is deregulated in several human cancers. Overexpression of Pim 1 facilitates cell cycle progression and suppresses apoptosis. Hence pharmacologic inhibitors of Pim 1 are of therapeutic interest for cancer. ETP-45299 is a potent and selective inhibitor of Pim 1 that inhibits the phosphorylation of Bad and 4EBP1 in cells and suppresses the proliferation of several non-solid and solid human tumor cell lines. The combination of the PI3K inhibitor GDC-0941 with ETP-45299 was strongly synergistic in MV-4-11 AML cells, indicating that the combination of selective Pim kinase inhibitors and PI3K inhibitor could have clinical benefit.

Vorinostat interferes with the signaling transduction pathway of T-cell receptor and synergizes with phosphoinositide-3 kinase inhibitors in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Vorinostat (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, SAHA), an inhibitor of class I and II histone deacetylases, has been approved for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. In spite of emerging information on the effect of vorinostat in many types of cancer, little is yet known about this drug's mechanism of action, which is essential for its proper use in combination therapy. We investigated alterations in gene expression profile over time in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cells treated with vorinostat. Subsequently, we evaluated inhibitors of PI3K, PIM and HSP90 as potential combination agents in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The genes significantly up- or down-regulated by vorinostat over different time periods (2-fold change, false discovery rate corrected P value<0.05) were selected using the short-time series expression miner. Cell viability was assessed in vitro in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cells through measuring intracellular ATP content. Drug interactions were analyzed by the combination index method with CalcuSyn software.

RESULTS

The functional analysis suggests that vorinostat modifies signaling of T-cell receptor, MAPK, and JAK-STAT pathways. The phosphorylation studies of ZAP70 (Tyr319, Tyr493) and its downstream target AKT (Ser473) revealed that vorinostat inhibits phosphorylation of these kinases. With regards to effects on cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cells, combining vorinostat with PI3K inhibitors resulted in synergy while cytotoxic antagonism was observed when vorinostat was combined with HSP90 inhibitor.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate the potential targets of vorinostat, underlining the importance of T-cell receptor signaling inhibition following vorinostat treatment. Additionally, we showed that combination therapies involving histone deacetylase inhibitors and inhibitors of PI3K are potentially efficacious for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Chemical interrogation of FOXO3a nuclear translocation identifies potent and selective inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinases

Activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway is one the most frequent genetic events in human cancer. A cell-based imaging assay that monitored the translocation of the Akt effector protein, Forkhead box O (FOXO), from the cytoplasm to the nucleus was employed to screen a collection of 33,992 small molecules. The positive compounds were used to screen kinases known to be involved in FOXO translocation. Pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives were found to be potent FOXO relocators as well as biochemical inhibitors of PI3Kalpha. A combination of virtual screening and molecular modeling led to the development of a structure-activity relationship, which indicated the preferred substituents on the pyrazolopyrimidine scaffold. This leads to the synthesis of ETP-45658, which is a potent and selective inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinases and demonstrates mechanism of action in tumor cell lines and in vivo in treated mice.

3-Amino-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazoles: A new class of CDK2 inhibitors

We have recently reported about a new class of Aurora-A inhibitors based on a bicyclic tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazole scaffold. Here we describe the synthesis and early expansion of CDK2/cyclin A-E inhibitors belonging to the same chemical class. Synthesis of the compounds was accomplished using a solution-phase protocol amenable to rapid parallel expansion. Compounds with nanomolar activity in the biochemical assay and able to efficiently inhibit CDK2-mediated tumor cell proliferation have been obtained.

The STE20 kinase HGK is broadly expressed in human tumor cells and can modulate cellular transformation, invasion, and adhesion

HGK (hepatocyte progenitor kinase-like/germinal center kinase-like kinase) is a member of the human STE20/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase family of serine/threonine kinases and is the ortholog of mouse NIK (Nck-interacting kinase). We have cloned a novel splice variant of HGK from a human tumor line and have further identified a complex family of HGK splice variants. We showed HGK to be highly expressed in most tumor cell lines relative to normal tissue. An active role for this kinase in transformation was suggested by an inhibition of H-Ras(V12)-induced focus formation by expression of inactive, dominant-negative mutants of HGK in both fibroblast and epithelial cell lines. Expression of an inactive mutant of HGK also inhibited the anchorage-independent growth of cells yet had no effect on proliferation in monolayer culture. Expression of HGK mutants modulated integrin receptor expression and had a striking effect on hepatocyte growth factor-stimulated epithelial cell invasion. Together, these results suggest an important role for HGK in cell transformation and invasiveness.

Requirement for PAK4 in the anchorage-independent growth of human cancer cell lines

p21-activated protein kinase (PAK) serine/threonine kinases are important effectors of Rho family GTPases and have been implicated in the regulation of cell morphology and motility, as well as in cell transformation. To further investigate the possible involvement of PAK kinases in tumorigenesis, we analyzed the expression of several family members in tumor cell lines. Here we demonstrate that PAK4 is frequently overexpressed in human tumor cell lines of various tissue origins. We also have identified serine (Ser-474) as the likely autophosphorylation site in the kinase domain of PAK4 in vivo. Mutation of this serine to glutamic acid (S474E) results in constitutive activation of the kinase. Phosphospecific antibodies directed against serine 474 detect activated PAK4 on the Golgi membrane when PAK4 is co-expressed with activated Cdc42. Furthermore, expression of the active PAK4 (S474E) mutant has transforming potential, leading to anchorage-independent growth of NIH3T3 cells. A kinase-inactive PAK4 (K350A,K351A), on the other hand, efficiently blocks transformation by activated Ras and inhibits anchorage-independent growth of HCT116 colon cancer cells. Taken together, our data strongly implicate PAK4 in oncogenic transformation and suggest that PAK4 activity is required for Ras-driven, anchorage-independent growth.

The Aurora/Ipl1p kinase family: regulators of chromosome segregation and cytokinesis

Members of the Aurora/Ipl1p family of mitotically regulated serine/threonine kinases are emerging as key regulators of chromosome segregation and cytokinesis. Proper chromosome segregation and cytokinesis ensure that each daughter cell receives the full complement of genetic material. Defects in these processes can lead to aneuploidy and the propagation of genetic abnormalities. This review discusses the Aurora/Ipl1p kinases in terms of their protein structure and proposed function in mitotic cells and also the potential role of aurora2 in human cancer.

A homologue of Drosophila aurora kinase is oncogenic and amplified in human colorectal cancers

Genetic and biochemical studies in lower eukaryotes have identified several proteins that ensure accurate segregation of chromosomes. These include the Drosophila aurora and yeast Ipl1 kinases that are required for centrosome maturation and chromosome segregation. We have identified two human homologues of these genes, termed aurora1 and aurora2, that encode cell-cycle-regulated serine/threonine kinases. Here we demonstrate that the aurora2 gene maps to chromosome 20q13, a region amplified in a variety of human cancers, including a significant number of colorectal malignancies. We propose that aurora2 may be a target of this amplicon since its DNA is amplified and its RNA overexpressed, in more than 50% of primary colorectal cancers. Furthermore, overexpression of aurora2 transforms rodent fibroblasts. These observations implicate aurora2 as a potential oncogene in many colon, breast and other solid tumors, and identify centrosome-associated proteins as novel targets for cancer therapy.

An adenovirus mutant that replicates selectively in p53-deficient human tumor cells

The human adenovirus E1B gene encodes a 55-kilodalton protein that inactivates the cellular tumor suppressor protein p53. Here it is shown that a mutant adenovirus that does not express this viral protein can replicate in and lyse p53-deficient human tumor cells but not cells with functional p53. Ectopic expression of the 55-kilodalton EIB protein in the latter cells rendered them sensitive to infection with the mutant virus. Injection of the mutant virus into p53-deficient human cervical carcinomas grown in nude mice caused a significant reduction in tumor size and caused complete regression of 60 percent of the tumors. These data raise the possibility that mutant adenoviruses can be used to treat certain human tumors.

Transcriptional activation of the human proliferating-cell nuclear antigen promoter by p53

Proliferating-cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is a DNA damage-inducible protein that performs an essential function in DNA replication and repair as an auxiliary factor for DNA polymerases delta and epsilon. Examination of the human PCNA promoter DNA sequence revealed a site with homology to the consensus DNA sequence bound by p53. PCNA promoter fragments with this site intact bound p53 in vitro and were transcriptionally activated by wild-type p53 in transient expression assays in SAOS-2 cells. The resident p53-binding site could be functionally substituted by a previously described p53-binding site from the ribosomal gene cluster. A plasmid expressing a mutated version of p53 derived from a patient with Li-Fraumeni syndrome failed to activate the PCNA promoter in the cotransfection assay. In different cell types, activation of the PCNA promoter by the p53-binding sequence correlated with the status of p53. Activation of the PCNA promoter by wild-type p53 depends upon the level of p53 expression. This concentration dependence and cell type specificity reconciles the observations presented here with prior results indicating that wild-type p53 represses the PCNA promoter. These findings provide a mechanism whereby p53 modulates activation of PCNA expression as a cellular response to DNA damage.

Signal transduction by Ras-like GTPases: a potential target for anticancer drugs

Members of the ras family of GTPases are involved in a wide variety of cellular processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and transformation. The ras oncogene is one of the most frequently mutated genes in human cancer. In addition, other oncogene and tumor suppressor gene products are components of the signal transduction pathways in which Ras or other Ras-like GTPases play key regulatory functions. Current progress in the elucidation of these signal transduction pathways will be reviewed and the potential use of these insights for the development of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer will be discussed.

Identification of the guanine nucleotide dissociation stimulator for Ral as a putative effector molecule of R-ras, H-ras, K-ras, and Rap

To identify proteins that bind to the Ras-related protein R-ras we performed a yeast two-hybrid cDNA library screen. Several clones were obtained encoding the C-terminal region of the guanine nucleotide dissociation stimulator for Ral (RalGDS). The R-ras-binding domain of RalGDS (RalGDS-RBD) is distinct from the conserved catalytic exchange factor regions. Using the two-hybrid system, we show that RalGDS-RBD interacts with H-ras, K-ras, and Rap, and with active but not with inactive point mutants of these Ras-like GTPases. Moreover, using purified proteins, we demonstrate the direct GTP-dependent interaction of the Ras-like GTPases with RalGDS-RBD and full-length RalGDS in vitro. Furthermore, we show that RalGDS-RBD and the Ras-binding domain of Raf-1 compete for binding to the Ras-like GTPases. These data indicate that RalGDS is a putative effector molecule for R-ras, H-ras, K-ras, and Rap.

The Ras-related protein R-ras interacts directly with Raf-1 in a GTP-dependent manner

R-ras is a member of the ras family of small GTPases that associates with the apoptosis-suppressing proto-oncogene product Bcl-2. Using the yeast two-hybrid system we provide evidence for an interaction between R-ras and the Raf-1 kinase. This interaction requires only the N-terminal regulatory domain (amino acids 1-256) of Raf-1, and is observed with both the wild type and a constitutively active R-ras mutant, but not with a deletion mutant that lacks the potential effector domain or a mutant of R-ras impaired for GTP binding. Moreover, using an in vitro binding assay we show a direct GTP-dependent interaction of purified R-ras with a purified Raf-1 fragment corresponding to the proposed 81-amino-acid H-Ras-binding domain of Raf-1 (amino acids 51-131). Taken together, these data indicate that R-ras may exert its biological effect by means of modulating the activity of the Raf-1 kinase as its direct downstream effector.

Bcl-2 associates with the ras-related protein R-ras p23

Apoptosis is an important but poorly understood mechanism of cell regulation. Growth factor deprivation can trigger apoptosis in a variety of cells, suggesting the existence of a signal transduction pathway responding to external signals and leading to apoptosis. Overexpression of the proto-oncogene bcl-2 can override these signals and block apoptosis, indicating that the bcl-2 protein (Bcl-2) is an important component of the apoptotic response. The identification of Bcl-2-binding proteins might help explain how Bcl-2 acts to regulate apoptosis. Here we use the yeast two-hybrid system to show that the human ras-related protein R-ras p23 (ref 16-18) binds to Bcl-2. This association is also detected in immunoprecipitates from human cell extracts. The association requires full-length Bcl-2 but the C-terminal 60 amino acids of R-ras p23 are sufficient for the interaction. These results provide evidence of a putative component of a signal transduction pathway involved in the regulation of apoptosis.

Human p53 inhibits growth in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Overexpression of wild-type p53 in mammalian cells blocks growth. We show here that the overexpression of wild-type human p53 in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe also blocks growth, whereas the overexpression of mutant forms of p53 does not. The p53 polypeptide is located in the nucleus and is phosphorylated at both the cdc2 site and the casein kinase II site in S. pombe. A new dominant mutation of p53, resulting in the change of a cysteine to an arginine at amino acid residue 141, was identified. The results presented here demonstrate that S. pombe could provide a simple system for studying the mechanism of action of human p53.

p34cdc2-mediated phosphorylation at T124 inhibits nuclear import of SV-40 T antigen proteins

The nuclear import of transcription regulatory proteins appears to be used by the cell to trigger transitions in cell cycle, morphogenesis, and transformation. We have previously observed that the rate at which SV-40 T antigen fusion proteins containing a functional nuclear localization sequence (NLS; residues 126-132) are imported into the nucleus is enhanced in the presence of the casein kinase II (CK-II) site S111/112. In this study purified p34cdc2 kinase was used to phosphorylate T antigen proteins specifically at T124 and kinetic measurements at the single-cell level performed to assess its effect on nuclear protein import. T124 phosphorylation, which could be functionally simulated by a T-to-D124 substitution, was found to reduce the maximal extent of nuclear accumulation whilst negligibly affecting the import rate. The inhibition of nuclear import depended on the stoichiometry of phosphorylation. T124 and S111/112 could be phosphorylated independently of one another. Two alternative mechanisms were considered to explain the inhibition of nuclear import by T124 phosphorylation: inactivation of the NLS and cytoplasmic retention, respectively. Furthermore, we speculate that in vivo T124 phosphorylation may regulate the small but functionally significant amount of cytoplasmic SV-40 T antigen. A sequence comparison showed that many transcription regulatory proteins contain domains comprising potential CK-II-sites, cdc2-sites, and NLS. This raises the possibility that the three elements represent a functional unit regulating nuclear protein import.

A complex containing p34cdc2 and cyclin B phosphorylates the nuclear lamin and disassembles nuclei of clam oocytes in vitro

Cell-free extracts prepared from activated clam oocytes contain factors which induce phosphorylation of the single 67-kD lamin (L67), disassemble clam oocyte nuclei, and cause chromosome condensation in vitro (Dessev, G., R. Palazzo, L. Rebhun, and R. Goldman. 1989. Dev. Biol. 131:469-504). To identify these factors, we have fractionated the oocyte extracts. The nuclear lamina disassembly (NLD) activity, together with a protein kinase activity specific for L67, appear as a single peak throughout a number of purification steps. This peak also contains p34cdc2, cyclin B, and histone H1-kinase activity, which are components of the M-phase promoting factor (MPF). The NLD/L67-kinase activity is depleted by exposure of this purified material to Sepharose conjugated to p13suc1, and is restored upon addition of a p34cdc2/p62 complex from HeLa cells. The latter complex phosphorylates L67 and induces NLD in the absence of other clam oocyte proteins. Our results suggest that a single protein kinase activity (p34cdc2-H1 kinase, identical with MPF) phosphorylates the lamin and is involved in the meiotic breakdown of the nuclear envelope in clam oocytes.

Intermediate filament reorganization during mitosis is mediated by p34cdc2 phosphorylation of vimentin

As cells enter mitosis, the intermediate filament (IF) networks of interphase BHK-21 cells are depolymerized to form cytoplasmic aggregates of disassembled IFs, and the constituent IF proteins, vimentin and desmin are hyperphosphorylated at several specific sites. We have characterized one of two endogenous vimentin kinases from a particulate fraction of mitotic cell lysates. Through several purification steps, vimentin kinase activity copurifies with histone H1 kinase and both activities bind to p13suc1-Sepharose. The final enriched kinase preparation consists primarily of p34cdc2 and polypeptides of 65 and 110 kd. The purified kinase complex phosphorylates vimentin in vitro at a subset of sites phosphorylated in vivo during mitosis. Furthermore, phosphorylation of in vitro polymerized vimentin IFs by the purified kinase causes their disassembly. Therefore, vimentin is a substrate of p34cdc2 and phosphorylation of vimentin contributes to M phase reorganization of the IF network.

Human p53 is phosphorylated by p60-cdc2 and cyclin B-cdc2

The human anti-oncoprotein p53 is shown to be a substrate of cdc2. The primary site of phosphorylation is serine-315. Serine-315 is phosphorylated by both p60-cdc2 and cyclin B-cdc2 enzymes. The phosphorylation of p53 is cell cycle-dependent. The abundance of p53 also oscillates during the cell cycle. The protein is largely absent from cells that have just completed division but accumulates in cells during G1 phase. Phosphorylation by cdc2 might regulate the antiproliferative activity of p53.

Mechanism of interferon action. Activation of the human P1/eIF-2 alpha protein kinase by individual reovirus s-class mRNAs: s1 mRNA is a potent activator relative to s4 mRNA

The ability of pure viral and cellular single-strand (ss) RNAs to activate the interferon-induced, double-stranded (ds) RNA-dependent P1/eIF-2 protein kinase purified from human amnion U cells was examined. In addition to the well-established activation of P1 kinase autophosphorylation in vitro by reovirus genome dsRNA, the P1 kinase was also efficiently activated by certain reovirus ssRNAs. The reovirus s1 mRNA was a potent activator of the kinase. By contrast, the reovirus s4 mRNA was a poor activator of the kinase. Likewise, adenovirus VAI RNA, transfer RNA, 5 S ribosomal RNA, and rabbit globin mRNA were not activators or were very poor activators of the purified P1/eIF-2 protein kinase. Analysis of hybrid ssRNAs produced between the reovirus s1 and s4 mRNAs revealed that both the 5' and the 3' portions of the s1 mRNA possessed nucleotide sequences capable of mediating kinase activation. Subsequent deletion analysis of the 5' portion of the s1 mRNA identified a 161-nucleotide region located between positions 416 and 576 which was sufficient for P1 kinase activation. Treatment of reovirus s1 mRNA transcripts with either ssRNA- or dsRNA-specific ribonucleases, but not with heat, destroyed the ability of s1 mRNA transcripts to activate the kinase. These results suggest that P1 kinase autophosphorylation in vitro may be selectively activated by individual ssRNAs in a differential manner, and that a secondary or higher-ordered ssRNA structure(s) may be important in mediating the activation.

Mechanism of interferon action. The interferon-induced phosphoprotein P1 possesses a double-stranded RNA-dependent ATP-binding site

Protein P1, the interferon-induced protein phosphorylated in the presence of dsRNA in human amnion U-cells, was covalently labeled with [alpha-32P]ATP following ultraviolet irradiation. The photoaffinity labeling of protein P1 was dependent upon double-stranded RNA. Antibody prepared against phosphorylated protein P1 immunoprecipitated the double-stranded RNA-dependent photoaffinity-labeled product. The extent of photoaffinity labeling was significantly decreased by the addition of unlabeled ATP, GTP, or AMP; adenosine had little effect on the photoaffinity labeling of protein P1. These results suggest that protein P1 possesses a site capable of binding an adenine nucleotide in a double-stranded RNA-dependent manner.