Reprogrammed mRNA translation drives metabolic response to therapeutic targeting of ribosome biogenesis

Autor: Kusnadi, E. P., Trigos, A. S., Cullinane, C., Goode, D. L., Larsson, O., Devlin, J. R., Chan, K. T., De Souza, D. P., McConville, M. J., McArthur, G. A., Thomas, G., Sanij, E., Poortinga, G., Hannan, R. D., Hannan, K. M., Kang, J., Pearson, R. B.
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2019
DOI: 10.1101/847723
Popis: Elevated ribosome biogenesis in oncogene-driven cancers is commonly targeted by DNA-damaging cytotoxic drugs. Our first-in-human trial of CX-5461, a novel, less genotoxic agent that specifically inhibits ribosome biogenesis via suppression of RNA Polymerase I transcription, revealed single agent efficacy in refractory blood cancers. Despite this clinical response, patients were not cured. In parallel, we demonstrated a marked improvement in the in vivo efficacy of CX-5461 in combination with PI3K/AKT/mTORC1 pathway inhibitors. Here we show that this improved efficacy is associated with specific suppression of translation of mRNAs encoding regulators of cellular metabolism. Importantly, acquired resistance to this co-treatment is driven by translational re-wiring that results in dysregulated cellular metabolism and induction of a cAMP-dependent pathway critical for the survival of blood cancers including lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia. Our studies identify the molecular mechanisms underpinning the response of blood cancers to selective ribosome biogenesis inhibitors and identify metabolic vulnerabilities that will facilitate the rational design of more effective regimens for Pol I-directed therapies. Statement of Significance Oncogene driven cancers are characterized by elevated ribosome biogenesis that can be targeted with specific inhibitors of ribosomal RNA synthesis to treat refractory blood cancer. Therapeutic resistance is associated with activated cAMP-dependent pro-survival signaling, providing a metabolic vulnerability that can be exploited to improve the efficacy of ribosome-targeting therapy.
Databáze: OpenAIRE