Suppressing recurrence in Sonic Hedgehog subgroup medulloblastoma using the OLIG2 inhibitor CT-179
Abstract OLIG2-expressing tumor stem cells have been shown to drive recurrence in Sonic Hedgehog (SHH)-subgroup medulloblastoma (MB) and patients urgently need specific therapies to target this tumor cell population. Here, we investigate the therapeutic potential of the brain-penetrant orally bioava...
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-02-01
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Series: | Nature Communications |
Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54861-3 |
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Summary: | Abstract OLIG2-expressing tumor stem cells have been shown to drive recurrence in Sonic Hedgehog (SHH)-subgroup medulloblastoma (MB) and patients urgently need specific therapies to target this tumor cell population. Here, we investigate the therapeutic potential of the brain-penetrant orally bioavailable, OLIG2 inhibitor CT-179, using SHH-MB explant organoids, PDX and GEM SHH-MB models. We find that CT-179 disrupts OLIG2 dimerization, phosphorylation and DNA binding and alters tumor cell-cycle kinetics, increasing differentiation and apoptosis. CT-179 prolongs survival in SHH-MB PDX and GEM models and potentiates radiotherapy (RT) in vivo. Single cell transcriptomic studies (scRNA-seq) confirm that CT-179 increases differentiation and implicate Cdk4 up-regulation in maintaining proliferation during treatment. Consistent with CDK4 mediating CT-179 resistance, CT-179 combines effectively with the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib, further prolonging survival in vivo. These data support therapeutic targeting of OLIG2+ tumor stem cells in regimens for SHH-driven MB, to improve response, delay recurrence and ultimately improve MB patient outcomes. |
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ISSN: | 2041-1723 |