RESUMO
Combination approaches are needed to strengthen and extend the clinical response to KRASG12C inhibitors (KRASG12Ci). Here, we assessed the antitumor responses of KRASG12C mutant lung and colorectal cancer models to combination treatment with a SOS1 inhibitor (SOS1i), BI-3406, plus the KRASG12C inhibitor, adagrasib. We found that responses to BI-3406 plus adagrasib were stronger than to adagrasib alone, comparable to adagrasib with SHP2 (SHP2i) or EGFR inhibitors and correlated with stronger suppression of RAS-MAPK signaling. BI-3406 plus adagrasib treatment also delayed the emergence of acquired resistance and elicited antitumor responses from adagrasib-resistant models. Resistance to KRASG12Ci seemed to be driven by upregulation of MRAS activity, which both SOS1i and SHP2i were found to potently inhibit. Knockdown of SHOC2, a MRAS complex partner, partially restored response to KRASG12Ci treatment. These results suggest KRASG12C plus SOS1i to be a promising strategy for treating both KRASG12Ci naive and relapsed KRASG12C-mutant tumors.
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KRAS inhibitors have demonstrated exciting preclinical and clinical responses, although resistance occurs rapidly. Here, we investigate the effects of KRAS-targeting therapies on the tumor microenvironment using a library of KrasG12D, p53-mutant, murine pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma-derived cell lines (KPCY) to leverage immune-oncology combination strategies for long-term tumor efficacy. Our findings show that SOS1 and MEK inhibitors (SOS1i+MEKi) suppressed tumor growth in syngeneic models and increased intratumoral CD8+ T cells without durable responses. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed an increase in inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts (iCAF), M2 macrophages, and a decreased dendritic cell (DC) quality that ultimately resulted in a highly immunosuppressive microenvironment driven by IL6+ iCAFs. Agonist CD40 treatment was effective to revert macrophage polarization and overcome the lack of mature antigen-presenting DCs after SOS1i+MEKi therapy. Treatment increased the overall survival of KPCY tumor-bearing mice. The addition of checkpoint blockade to SOS1i+MEKi combination resulted in tumor-free mice with established immune memory. Our data suggest that KRAS inhibition affects myeloid cell maturation and highlights the need for combining KRAS cancer-targeted therapy with myeloid activation to enhance and prolong antitumor effects. SIGNIFICANCE: Combination of SOS1 and MEK inhibitors increase T cell infiltration while blunting pro-immune myeloid cell maturation and highlights the need for combining KRAS cancer-targeted therapy with myeloid activation to enhance and prolong anti-tumor effects.
Assuntos
Carcinoma Ductal Pancreático , Imunoterapia , Neoplasias Pancreáticas , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras) , Proteína SOS1 , Microambiente Tumoral , Animais , Carcinoma Ductal Pancreático/tratamento farmacológico , Carcinoma Ductal Pancreático/imunologia , Carcinoma Ductal Pancreático/patologia , Camundongos , Microambiente Tumoral/efeitos dos fármacos , Microambiente Tumoral/imunologia , Neoplasias Pancreáticas/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Pancreáticas/imunologia , Neoplasias Pancreáticas/patologia , Neoplasias Pancreáticas/genética , Proteína SOS1/genética , Proteína SOS1/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/genética , Imunoterapia/métodos , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/farmacologia , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/uso terapêutico , Humanos , Inibidores de Checkpoint Imunológico/farmacologia , Inibidores de Checkpoint Imunológico/uso terapêutico , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/imunologia , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/efeitos dos fármacos , FemininoRESUMO
Clinical effectiveness of KRAS G12C inhibitors (G12Cis) is limited both by intrinsic and acquired resistance, necessitating the development of combination approaches. We found that targeting proximal receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling using the SOS1 inhibitor (SOS1i) BI-3406 both enhanced the potency of and delayed resistance to G12Ci treatment, but the extent of SOS1i effectiveness was modulated by both SOS2 expression and the specific mutational landscape. SOS1i enhanced the efficacy of G12Ci and limited rebound RTK/ERK signaling to overcome intrinsic/adaptive resistance, but this effect was modulated by SOS2 protein levels. Survival of drug-tolerant persister (DTP) cells within the heterogeneous tumor population and/or acquired mutations that reactivate RTK/RAS signaling can lead to outgrowth of tumor initiating cells (TICs) that drive therapeutic resistance. G12Ci drug tolerant persister cells showed a 2-3-fold enrichment of TICs, suggesting that these could be a sanctuary population of G12Ci resistant cells. SOS1i re-sensitized DTPs to G12Ci and inhibited G12C-induced TIC enrichment. Co-mutation of the tumor suppressor KEAP1 limits the clinical effectiveness of G12Cis, and KEAP1 and STK11 deletion increased TIC frequency and accelerated the development of acquired resistance to G12Ci in situ. SOS1i both delayed acquired G12Ci resistance and limited the total number of resistant colonies regardless of KEAP1 and STK11 mutational status. These data suggest that SOS1i could be an effective strategy to both enhance G12Ci efficacy and prevent G12Ci resistance regardless of co-mutations.
RESUMO
KRAS is a frequent driver in lung cancer. To identify KRAS-specific vulnerabilities in lung cancer, we performed RNAi screens in primary spheroids derived from a Kras mutant mouse lung cancer model and discovered an epigenetic regulator Ubiquitin-like containing PHD and RING finger domains 1 (UHRF1). In human lung cancer models UHRF1 knock-out selectively impaired growth and induced apoptosis only in KRAS mutant cells. Genome-wide methylation and gene expression analysis of UHRF1-depleted KRAS mutant cells revealed global DNA hypomethylation leading to upregulation of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs). A focused CRISPR/Cas9 screen validated several of these TSGs as mediators of UHRF1-driven tumorigenesis. In vivo, UHRF1 knock-out inhibited tumor growth of KRAS-driven mouse lung cancer models. Finally, in lung cancer patients high UHRF1 expression is anti-correlated with TSG expression and predicts worse outcomes for patients with KRAS mutant tumors. These results nominate UHRF1 as a KRAS-specific vulnerability and potential target for therapeutic intervention.
Assuntos
Adenocarcinoma de Pulmão , Proteínas Estimuladoras de Ligação a CCAAT , Neoplasias Pulmonares , Ubiquitina-Proteína Ligases , Animais , Humanos , Camundongos , Adenocarcinoma de Pulmão/genética , Proteínas Estimuladoras de Ligação a CCAAT/genética , Proteínas Estimuladoras de Ligação a CCAAT/metabolismo , Transformação Celular Neoplásica/genética , Metilação de DNA , Epigênese Genética , Neoplasias Pulmonares/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/metabolismo , Ubiquitina-Proteína Ligases/genética , Ubiquitina-Proteína Ligases/metabolismoRESUMO
Efforts to improve the anti-tumor response to KRASG12C targeted therapy have benefited from leveraging combination approaches. Here, we compare the anti-tumor response induced by the SOS1-KRAS interaction inhibitor, BI-3406, combined with a KRASG12C inhibitor (KRASG12Ci) to those induced by KRASG12Ci alone or combined with SHP2 or EGFR inhibitors. In lung cancer and colorectal cancer (CRC) models, BI-3406 plus KRASG12Ci induces an anti-tumor response stronger than that observed with KRASG12Ci alone and comparable to those by the other combinations. This enhanced anti-tumor response is associated with a stronger and extended suppression of RAS-MAPK signaling. Importantly, BI-3406 plus KRASG12Ci treatment delays the emergence of acquired adagrasib resistance in both CRC and lung cancer models and is associated with re-establishment of anti-proliferative activity in KRASG12Ci-resistant CRC models. Our findings position KRASG12C plus SOS1 inhibition therapy as a promising strategy for treating both KRASG12C-mutated tumors as well as for addressing acquired resistance to KRASG12Ci.
RESUMO
Zafra and colleagues developed new mouse models to study the role of specific KRAS mutations in pancreatic, lung, and colon cancer pathogenesis. Their studies clearly describe the distinct ability of these mutations to drive pathogenesis in a tissue-specific fashion.See related article by Zafra et al., p. 1654.
Assuntos
Oncogenes , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras) , Animais , Carcinogênese , Genes ras , Camundongos , Mutação , Fenótipo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/genéticaRESUMO
Activating mutations in RAS GTPases drive many cancers, but limited understanding of less-studied RAS interactors, and of the specific roles of different RAS interactor paralogs, continues to limit target discovery. We developed a multistage discovery and screening process to systematically identify genes conferring RAS-related susceptibilities in lung adenocarcinoma. Using affinity purification mass spectrometry, we generated a protein-protein interaction map of RAS interactors and pathway components containing hundreds of interactions. From this network, we constructed a CRISPR dual knockout library targeting 119 RAS-related genes that we screened for KRAS-dependent genetic interactions (GI). This approach identified new RAS effectors, including the adhesion controller RADIL and the endocytosis regulator RIN1, and >250 synthetic lethal GIs, including a potent KRAS-dependent interaction between RAP1GDS1 and RHOA. Many GIs link specific paralogs within and between gene families. These findings illustrate the power of multiomic approaches to uncover synthetic lethal combinations specific for hitherto untreatable cancer genotypes. SIGNIFICANCE: We establish a deep network of protein-protein and genetic interactions in the RAS pathway. Many interactions validated here demonstrate important specificities and redundancies among paralogous RAS regulators and effectors. By comparing synthetic lethal interactions across KRAS-dependent and KRAS-independent cell lines, we identify several new combination therapy targets for RAS-driven cancers.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1775.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Pulmonares/genética , Proteômica/métodos , Proteínas ras/genética , HumanosRESUMO
Cancer genomics studies have identified thousands of putative cancer driver genes1. Development of high-throughput and accurate models to define the functions of these genes is a major challenge. Here we devised a scalable cancer-spheroid model and performed genome-wide CRISPR screens in 2D monolayers and 3D lung-cancer spheroids. CRISPR phenotypes in 3D more accurately recapitulated those of in vivo tumours, and genes with differential sensitivities between 2D and 3D conditions were highly enriched for genes that are mutated in lung cancers. These analyses also revealed drivers that are essential for cancer growth in 3D and in vivo, but not in 2D. Notably, we found that carboxypeptidase D is responsible for removal of a C-terminal RKRR motif2 from the α-chain of the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor that is critical for receptor activity. Carboxypeptidase D expression correlates with patient outcomes in patients with lung cancer, and loss of carboxypeptidase D reduced tumour growth. Our results reveal key differences between 2D and 3D cancer models, and establish a generalizable strategy for performing CRISPR screens in spheroids to reveal cancer vulnerabilities.
Assuntos
Sistemas CRISPR-Cas/genética , Técnicas de Cultura de Células/métodos , Proliferação de Células/genética , Genoma Humano/genética , Neoplasias Pulmonares/genética , Neoplasias Pulmonares/patologia , Esferoides Celulares/patologia , Adenocarcinoma/genética , Adenocarcinoma/metabolismo , Adenocarcinoma/patologia , Motivos de Aminoácidos , Animais , Carboxipeptidases/antagonistas & inibidores , Carboxipeptidases/deficiência , Carboxipeptidases/genética , Carboxipeptidases/metabolismo , Feminino , Humanos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/metabolismo , Camundongos , Terapia de Alvo Molecular , Mutação , Fenótipo , Receptor IGF Tipo 1/química , Receptor IGF Tipo 1/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais , Esferoides Celulares/metabolismo , Ensaios Antitumorais Modelo de XenoenxertoRESUMO
Few therapies are currently available for patients with KRAS-driven cancers, highlighting the need to identify new molecular targets that modulate central downstream effector pathways. Here we found that the microRNA (miRNA) cluster including miR181ab1 is a key modulator of KRAS-driven oncogenesis. Ablation of Mir181ab1 in genetically engineered mouse models of Kras-driven lung and pancreatic cancer was deleterious to tumor initiation and progression. Expression of both resident miRNAs in the Mir181ab1 cluster, miR181a1 and miR181b1, was necessary to rescue the Mir181ab1-loss phenotype, underscoring their nonredundant role. In human cancer cells, depletion of miR181ab1 impaired proliferation and 3D growth, whereas overexpression provided a proliferative advantage. Lastly, we unveiled miR181ab1-regulated genes responsible for this phenotype. These studies identified what we believe to be a previously unknown role for miR181ab1 as a potential therapeutic target in 2 highly aggressive and difficult to treat KRAS-mutated cancers.
Assuntos
Carcinogênese/metabolismo , Neoplasias Pulmonares/metabolismo , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Família Multigênica , Neoplasias Experimentais/metabolismo , Neoplasias Pancreáticas/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/metabolismo , RNA Neoplásico/metabolismo , Animais , Carcinogênese/genética , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proliferação de Células , Humanos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/genética , Camundongos , Camundongos Knockout , MicroRNAs/genética , Neoplasias Experimentais/genética , Neoplasias Pancreáticas/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/genética , RNA Neoplásico/genéticaRESUMO
Proinflammatory cytokines in the tumor microenvironment can promote tumor growth, yet their value as therapeutic targets remains underexploited. We validated the functional significance of the cardiotrophin-like cytokine factor 1 (CLCF1)-ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor (CNTFR) signaling axis in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and generated a high-affinity soluble receptor (eCNTFR-Fc) that sequesters CLCF1, thereby inhibiting its oncogenic effects. eCNTFR-Fc inhibits tumor growth in multiple xenograft models and in an autochthonous, highly aggressive genetically engineered mouse model of LUAD, driven by activation of oncogenic Kras and loss of Trp53. Abrogation of CLCF1 through eCNTFR-Fc appears most effective in tumors driven by oncogenic KRAS. We observed a correlation between the effectiveness of eCNTFR-Fc and the presence of KRAS mutations that retain the intrinsic capacity to hydrolyze guanosine triphosphate, suggesting that the mechanism of action may be related to altered guanosine triphosphate loading. Overall, we nominate blockade of CLCF1-CNTFR signaling as a novel therapeutic opportunity for LUAD and potentially for other tumor types in which CLCF1 is present in the tumor microenvironment.
Assuntos
Adenocarcinoma de Pulmão/tratamento farmacológico , Proliferação de Células/genética , Subunidade alfa do Receptor do Fator Neutrófico Ciliar/genética , Citocinas/genética , Adenocarcinoma de Pulmão/genética , Adenocarcinoma de Pulmão/patologia , Animais , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Subunidade alfa do Receptor do Fator Neutrófico Ciliar/química , Citocinas/química , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Interleucinas/genética , Camundongos , Mutação/genética , Ligação Proteica , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/genética , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Microambiente Tumoral/efeitos dos fármacos , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/genética , Ensaios Antitumorais Modelo de XenoenxertoRESUMO
Resistance to platinum chemotherapy is a long-standing problem in the management of lung adenocarcinoma. Using a whole-genome synthetic lethal RNA interference screen, we identified activin signaling as a critical mediator of innate platinum resistance. The transforming growth factor-ß (TGFß) superfamily ligands activin A and growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) mediated resistance via their cognate receptors through TGFß-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), rather than through the SMAD family of transcription factors. Inhibition of activin receptor signaling or blockade of activin A and GDF11 by the endogenous protein follistatin overcame this resistance. Consistent with the role of activin signaling in acute renal injury, both therapeutic interventions attenuated acute cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, its major dose-limiting side effect. This cancer-specific enhancement of platinum-induced cell death has the potential to dramatically improve the safety and efficacy of chemotherapy in lung cancer patients.
Assuntos
Ativinas/metabolismo , Adenocarcinoma de Pulmão/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Pulmonares/tratamento farmacológico , Platina/uso terapêutico , Células A549 , Animais , Carboplatina/uso terapêutico , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Folistatina/uso terapêutico , Humanos , Masculino , Camundongos , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Ensaios Antitumorais Modelo de XenoenxertoRESUMO
Eukaryotic cells respond to DNA breaks, especially double-stranded breaks (DSBs), by activating the DNA damage response (DDR), which encompasses DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoint signaling. The DNA damage signal is transmitted to the checkpoint machinery by a network of specialized DNA damage-recognizing and signal-transducing molecules. However, recent evidence suggests that DNA repair proteins themselves may also directly contribute to the checkpoint control. Here, we investigated the role of homologous recombination (HR) proteins in normal cell cycle regulation in the absence of exogenous DNA damage. For this purpose, we used Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells expressing the Fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicators (Fucci). Systematic siRNA-mediated knockdown of HR genes in these cells demonstrated that the lack of several of these factors alters cell cycle distribution, albeit differentially. The knock-down of MDC1, Rad51 and Brca1 caused the cells to arrest in the G2 phase, suggesting that they may be required for the G2/M transition. In contrast, inhibition of the other HR factors, including several Rad51 paralogs and Rad50, led to the arrest in the G1/G0 phase. Moreover, reduced expression of Rad51B, Rad51C, CtIP and Rad50 induced entry into a quiescent G0-like phase. In conclusion, the lack of many HR factors may lead to cell cycle checkpoint activation, even in the absence of exogenous DNA damage, indicating that these proteins may play an essential role both in DNA repair and checkpoint signaling.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Ciclo Celular/fisiologia , Ciclo Celular/fisiologia , Recombinação Homóloga/fisiologia , Animais , Células CHO , Cricetinae , Cricetulus , Humanos , Proteínas RecombinantesRESUMO
Evidence is accumulating for the existence of a signal transducer and activator of transcription 2 (STAT2)/interferon regulatory factor 9 (IRF9)-dependent, STAT1-independent interferon alpha (IFNα) signalling pathway. However, no detailed insight exists into the genome-wide transcriptional regulation and the biological implications of STAT2/IRF9-dependent IFNα signalling as compared with interferon-stimulated gene factor 3 (ISGF3). In STAT1-defeicient U3C cells stably overexpressing human STAT2 (hST2-U3C) and STAT1-deficient murine embryonic fibroblast cells stably overexpressing mouse STAT2 (mST2-MS1KO) we observed that the IFNα-induced expression of 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthase 2 (OAS2) and interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 1 (Ifit1) correlated with the kinetics of STAT2 phosphorylation, and the presence of a STAT2/IRF9 complex requiring STAT2 phosphorylation and the STAT2 transactivation domain. Subsequent microarray analysis of IFNα-treated wild-type (WT) and STAT1 KO cells overexpressing STAT2 extended our observations and identified â¼120 known antiviral ISRE-containing interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) commonly up-regulated by STAT2/IRF9 and ISGF3. The STAT2/IRF9-directed expression profile of these IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) was prolonged as compared with the early and transient response mediated by ISGF3. In addition, we identified a group of 'STAT2/IRF9-specific' ISGs, whose response to IFNα was ISGF3-independent. Finally, STAT2/IRF9 was able to trigger an antiviral response upon encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) and vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus (VSV). Our results further prove that IFNα-activated STAT2/IRF9 induces a prolonged ISGF3-like transcriptome and generates an antiviral response in the absence of STAT1. Moreover, the existence of 'STAT2/IRF9-specific' target genes predicts a novel role of STAT2 in IFNα signalling.