Project description:Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MEK 1/2) are central components of the RAS signaling pathway and attractive targets for cancer therapy. However, PIK3CA mutation, which commonly co-occurs with KRAS mutation, offered resistance to MEK inhibitor through activation of PI3K-AKT signaling. We identified a gene that cooperates with MEK inhibitors to forcefully treat PIK3CA mutant colon cancer cells. -catenin, a key molecule of the WNT pathway, emerged as a candidate by protein/Ab Chip array. MEK inhibitor treatment led to a decrease in -catenin in PIK3CA wild-type colon cancer cells but not in PIK3CA mutant colon cancer cells. Tumor regression was promoted by a combination of MEK inhibitor and NVP-TNS656, which targets the WNT pathway. Furthermore, combined inhibition of MEK and -catenin by NVP-TNS656 promoted tumor regression in colon cancer patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models expressing mutant PIK3CA. Taken together, we propose that inhibition of the WNT pathway, particularly -catenin, may bypass resistance to MEK inhibitor in human PIK3CA mutant colon cancer. Additionally, -catenin is a potential PD marker of MEK inhibitor resistance. In the study, we identified and evaluated biomarker for response to MEK inhibitor on colon cancer cells.
Project description:Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MEK 1/2) are central components of the RAS signaling pathway and attractive targets for cancer therapy. However, PIK3CA mutation, which commonly co-occurs with KRAS mutation, offered resistance to MEK inhibitor through activation of PI3K-AKT signaling. We identified a gene that cooperates with MEK inhibitors to forcefully treat PIK3CA mutant colon cancer cells. -catenin, a key molecule of the WNT pathway, emerged as a candidate by protein/Ab Chip array. MEK inhibitor treatment led to a decrease in -catenin in PIK3CA wild-type colon cancer cells but not in PIK3CA mutant colon cancer cells. Tumor regression was promoted by a combination of MEK inhibitor and NVP-TNS656, which targets the WNT pathway. Furthermore, combined inhibition of MEK and -catenin by NVP-TNS656 promoted tumor regression in colon cancer patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models expressing mutant PIK3CA. Taken together, we propose that inhibition of the WNT pathway, particularly -catenin, may bypass resistance to MEK inhibitor in human PIK3CA mutant colon cancer. Additionally, -catenin is a potential PD marker of MEK inhibitor resistance.
Project description:Resistance to Ras pathway inhibition is a major challenge in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), but the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. Here we performed large-scale small molecule screens in CRC and identified inhibitors of MEK1/2 as potent activators of Wnt/beta-catenin signalling. Targeting MEK increased Wnt activity in different CRC cell lines and in the murine intestine in vivo. The MEK-induced Wnt response was strongly enhanced by truncating mutations in APC and proteomic experiments identified that AXIN1 levels are depleted upon MEK inhibition. We generated patient-derived colon cancer organoids and showed that a clinically approved MEK inhibitor leads to increased Wnt activity, elevated LGR5 levels and enrichment of gene signatures associated with stem cells and cancer relapse. This reprogramming was reverted by co-treatment with Wnt inhibitors. Our study demonstrates that MEK inhibition affects cellular plasticity and induces an intestinal stem cell program which constitutes a novel mechanism of drug resistance.
Project description:Resistance to Ras pathway inhibition is a major challenge in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), but the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. Here we performed large-scale small molecule screens in CRC and identified inhibitors of MEK1/2 as potent activators of Wnt/beta-catenin signalling. Targeting MEK increased Wnt activity in different CRC cell lines and in the murine intestine in vivo. The MEK-induced Wnt response was strongly enhanced by truncating mutations in APC and proteomic experiments identified that AXIN1 levels are depleted upon MEK inhibition. We generated patient-derived colon cancer organoids and showed that a clinically approved MEK inhibitor leads to increased Wnt activity, elevated LGR5 levels and enrichment of gene signatures associated with stem cells and cancer relapse. This reprogramming was reverted by co-treatment with Wnt inhibitors. Our study demonstrates that MEK inhibition affects cellular plasticity and induces an intestinal stem cell program which constitutes a novel mechanism of drug resistance.
Project description:In an effort to understand the mechanisms of acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors, we isolated clones that acquired resistance to the BRAF inhibitor GSK2118436 derived from the A375 BRAF V600E mutant melanoma cell line. This resistance clones acquired mutations in NRAS and MEK1. One clones, 16R6-4, acquired two mutations in NRAS – Q61K and A146T. Proliferation and western blot analyses demonstrated that these clones were insensitive to single agent GSK2118436 or GSK1120212 (an allosteric MEK inhibitor) but were sensitive to the combination of GSK2118436 and GSK1120212. To further characterize this combination, global transcriptomic analysis was performed in A375 and 16R6-4 after 24 hour treatment with GSK2118436, GSK1120212 or the combination of GSK2118436 and GSK1120212. This data set was published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics with the title “Combined inhibition of BRAF and MEK, BRAF and PI3K/mTOR, or MEK and PI3K/mTOR overcomes acquired resistance to the BRAF inhibitor GSK2118436, mediated by NRAS or MEK mutations” by Greger, J.G., et.al. A375 and 16R6-4 (an A375 derived GSK2118436 resistance clone) were treated for 24 hours with 0.1 micromolar GSK2118436, 1 micromolar GSK2118436, 0.01 micromolar GSK1120212, 0.1 micromolar GSK2118436 + 0.01 micromolar GSK1120212, or 1 micromolar GSK2118436 + 0.01 micromolar GSK1120212.
Project description:Recent preclinical studies suggest that combining MEK and MDM2 inhibition synergize to induce apoptosis in RAS/BRAF-mutant and TP53 wild-type CRC models. In vitro, in RKO cell lines (poorly differentiated colon carcinoma cell line resistant to single agent targeting MDM2 and MEK and BRAF inhibition), the MDM2 plus MEK inhibitor combination generated a synergistic increase in apoptotic index. In vivo, in mice harboring human RKO colon tumor xenografts the combination of MDM2 plus MEK inhibition elicited 93% decreases in tumor volume.
This trial is to conduct a single-center, Phase 1 dose escalation study of trametinib combined with HDM201 (a HDM2 inhibitor) in patients with advanced/metastatic RAS/RAF mutant and TP53 wt CRC.
Project description:Strong activation of the oncogenic Wnt/beta-catenin pathway is a main mechanism of resistance to FOXO3a-induced apoptosis promoted by PI3K and AKT inhibitors in colorectal cancer (CRC). Reducing Wnt/beta-catenin activity would sensitize colorectal tumors to these inhibitors. However, no Wnt/beta-catenin signaling inhibitor has proven clinical potential yet. Recently, inhibitors that block tankyrases were shown to reduce colon cancer cell proliferation by decreasing nuclear beta-catenin. We aim to identify determinants of response to these novel Wnt-inhibitors. Therefore, we treated in vivo three different patient-derived xenograft models (PDX; P2, P5 and P30) growing subcutaneously in NOD SCID mice with the novel tankyrase inhibitor NVP-TNKS656.
Project description:Targeted therapies have the potential to revolutionize cancer care by providing personalized treatment strategies that are less toxic and more effective but it is clear that for most solid tumors suppression of a single target is not sufficient to prevent development of resistance. A powerful method to identify mechanisms of resistance and targets for combination therapy is to use an in vivo genetic approach. We have developed a novel retroviral gene delivery mouse model of melanoma that permits control of gene expression post-delivery using the tetracycline (tet)-regulated system. In this study we used this melanoma model to select for resistant tumors following genetic inhibition of mutant NRAS. Analysis of tumors that became resistant to NRAS suppression revealed that the most common mechanism of resistance was overexpression of the Met receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK). Importantly, inhibition of Met overcomes NRAS resistance in this context. Analysis of NRAS mutant human melanoma cells revealed that inhibition of MEK is also associated with adaptive RTK signaling. Furthermore, co-inhibition of RTK signaling and MEK overcomes acquired MEK inhibitor resistance in NRAS mutant melanoma. These data suggest that combined inhibition of RTK and MEK signaling is a rational therapeutic strategy in mutant NRAS driven melanoma. Reversible NRAS Q61R expression in the melanocytes of DCT-TVA;Ink4a/Arf lox/lox mice (FVB/n) was achieved by transducing the animals with Tet-off and TRE-NRASQ61R-IRES-Cre avian leukosis viruses. After tumor initiation, the expression of NRAS Q61R was turned off by administrating doxycycline. Despite initial regression, tumors in 40% of mice developed resistance to NRAS Q61R withdraw. Seven resistant tumors and one control tumor where NRAS Q61R expression was not interrupted were subjected to genome-wide gene expression profiling.
Project description:Targeted therapies have the potential to revolutionize cancer care by providing personalized treatment strategies that are less toxic and more effective but it is clear that for most solid tumors suppression of a single target is not sufficient to prevent development of resistance. A powerful method to identify mechanisms of resistance and targets for combination therapy is to use an in vivo genetic approach. We have developed a novel retroviral gene delivery mouse model of melanoma that permits control of gene expression post-delivery using the tetracycline (tet)-regulated system. In this study we used this melanoma model to select for resistant tumors following genetic inhibition of mutant NRAS. Analysis of tumors that became resistant to NRAS suppression revealed that the most common mechanism of resistance was overexpression of the Met receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK). Importantly, inhibition of Met overcomes NRAS resistance in this context. Analysis of NRAS mutant human melanoma cells revealed that inhibition of MEK is also associated with adaptive RTK signaling. Furthermore, co-inhibition of RTK signaling and MEK overcomes acquired MEK inhibitor resistance in NRAS mutant melanoma. These data suggest that combined inhibition of RTK and MEK signaling is a rational therapeutic strategy in mutant NRAS driven melanoma.
Project description:In an effort to understand the mechanisms of acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors, we isolated clones that acquired resistance to the BRAF inhibitor GSK2118436 derived from the A375 BRAF V600E mutant melanoma cell line. This resistance clones acquired mutations in NRAS and MEK1. One clones, 16R6-4, acquired two mutations in NRAS – Q61K and A146T. Proliferation and western blot analyses demonstrated that these clones were insensitive to single agent GSK2118436 or GSK1120212 (an allosteric MEK inhibitor) but were sensitive to the combination of GSK2118436 and GSK1120212. To further characterize this combination, global transcriptomic analysis was performed in A375 and 16R6-4 after 24 hour treatment with GSK2118436, GSK1120212 or the combination of GSK2118436 and GSK1120212. This data set was published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics with the title “Combined inhibition of BRAF and MEK, BRAF and PI3K/mTOR, or MEK and PI3K/mTOR overcomes acquired resistance to the BRAF inhibitor GSK2118436, mediated by NRAS or MEK mutations” by Greger, J.G., et.al.