Targeting ERBB3 and AKT to overcome adaptive resistance in EML4-ALK-driven non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract The fusion event between EML4 and ALK drives a significant oncogenic activity in 5% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Even though potent ALK-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK-TKIs) are successfully used for the treatment of EML4-ALK-positive NSCLC patients, a subset of those patients eve...

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Main Authors: Josephina Sampson, Hyun-min Ju, Nan Zhang, Sharon Yeoh, Jene Choi, Richard Bayliss
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2024-12-01
Series:Cell Death and Disease
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-024-07272-7
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author Josephina Sampson
Hyun-min Ju
Nan Zhang
Sharon Yeoh
Jene Choi
Richard Bayliss
author_facet Josephina Sampson
Hyun-min Ju
Nan Zhang
Sharon Yeoh
Jene Choi
Richard Bayliss
author_sort Josephina Sampson
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The fusion event between EML4 and ALK drives a significant oncogenic activity in 5% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Even though potent ALK-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK-TKIs) are successfully used for the treatment of EML4-ALK-positive NSCLC patients, a subset of those patients eventually acquire resistance during their therapy. Here, we investigate the kinase responses in EML4-ALK V1 and V3-harbouring NSCLC cancer cells after acute inhibition with ALK TKI, lorlatinib (LOR). Using phosphopeptide chip array and upstream kinase prediction analysis, we identified a group of phosphorylated tyrosine peptides including ERBB and AKT proteins that are upregulated upon ALK-TKI treatment in EML4-ALK-positive NSCLC cell lines. Dual inhibition of ALK and ERBB receptors or AKT disrupts RAS/MAPK and AKT/PI3K signalling pathways, and enhances apoptosis in EML4-ALK + NSCLC cancer cells. Heregulin, an ERBB3 ligand, differentially modulates the sensitivity of EML4-ALK cell lines to ALK inhibitors. We found that EML4-ALK cells made resistant to LOR are sensitive to inhibition of ERBB and AKT. These findings emphasize the important roles of AKT and ERBB3 to regulate signalling after acute LOR treatment, identifying them as potential targets that may be beneficial to prevent adaptive resistance to EML4-ALK-targeted therapies in NSCLC.
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spelling doaj-art-e85e8191064849ecba5404cda5af27e62025-08-20T01:57:13ZengNature Publishing GroupCell Death and Disease2041-48892024-12-01151212110.1038/s41419-024-07272-7Targeting ERBB3 and AKT to overcome adaptive resistance in EML4-ALK-driven non-small cell lung cancerJosephina Sampson0Hyun-min Ju1Nan Zhang2Sharon Yeoh3Jene Choi4Richard Bayliss5Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology and School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of LeedsDepartment of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of MedicineAstbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology and School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of LeedsAstbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology and School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of LeedsDepartment of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of MedicineAstbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology and School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of LeedsAbstract The fusion event between EML4 and ALK drives a significant oncogenic activity in 5% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Even though potent ALK-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK-TKIs) are successfully used for the treatment of EML4-ALK-positive NSCLC patients, a subset of those patients eventually acquire resistance during their therapy. Here, we investigate the kinase responses in EML4-ALK V1 and V3-harbouring NSCLC cancer cells after acute inhibition with ALK TKI, lorlatinib (LOR). Using phosphopeptide chip array and upstream kinase prediction analysis, we identified a group of phosphorylated tyrosine peptides including ERBB and AKT proteins that are upregulated upon ALK-TKI treatment in EML4-ALK-positive NSCLC cell lines. Dual inhibition of ALK and ERBB receptors or AKT disrupts RAS/MAPK and AKT/PI3K signalling pathways, and enhances apoptosis in EML4-ALK + NSCLC cancer cells. Heregulin, an ERBB3 ligand, differentially modulates the sensitivity of EML4-ALK cell lines to ALK inhibitors. We found that EML4-ALK cells made resistant to LOR are sensitive to inhibition of ERBB and AKT. These findings emphasize the important roles of AKT and ERBB3 to regulate signalling after acute LOR treatment, identifying them as potential targets that may be beneficial to prevent adaptive resistance to EML4-ALK-targeted therapies in NSCLC.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-024-07272-7
spellingShingle Josephina Sampson
Hyun-min Ju
Nan Zhang
Sharon Yeoh
Jene Choi
Richard Bayliss
Targeting ERBB3 and AKT to overcome adaptive resistance in EML4-ALK-driven non-small cell lung cancer
Cell Death and Disease
title Targeting ERBB3 and AKT to overcome adaptive resistance in EML4-ALK-driven non-small cell lung cancer
title_full Targeting ERBB3 and AKT to overcome adaptive resistance in EML4-ALK-driven non-small cell lung cancer
title_fullStr Targeting ERBB3 and AKT to overcome adaptive resistance in EML4-ALK-driven non-small cell lung cancer
title_full_unstemmed Targeting ERBB3 and AKT to overcome adaptive resistance in EML4-ALK-driven non-small cell lung cancer
title_short Targeting ERBB3 and AKT to overcome adaptive resistance in EML4-ALK-driven non-small cell lung cancer
title_sort targeting erbb3 and akt to overcome adaptive resistance in eml4 alk driven non small cell lung cancer
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-024-07272-7
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