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JNK Pathway Activation Modulates Acquired Resistance to EGFR/HER2-Targeted Therapies
Simin Manole1, Edward J Richards1, Aaron S Meyer2
1Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Abstract:
Resistance limits the effectiveness of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)-targeted therapies. Combination therapies targeting resistance mechanisms can considerably improve response, but will require an improved understanding of when particular combinations will be effective. One common form of resistance is bypass signaling, wherein RTKs not targeted by an inhibitor can direct reactivation of pathways essential for survival. Although this mechanism of resistance is well appreciated, it is unclear which downstream signaling events are responsible. Here, we apply a combined experimental- and statistical modeling-based approach to identify a set of pathway reactivation essential for RTK-mediated bypass resistance. Differences in the downstream pathway activation provided by particular RTKs lead to qualitative differences in the capacity of each receptor to drive therapeutic resistance. We identify and validate that the JNK pathway is activated during and strongly modulates bypass resistance. These results identify effective therapeutic combinations that block bypass-mediated resistance and provide a basic understanding of this network-level change in kinase dependence that will inform the design of prognostic assays for identifying effective therapeutic combinations in individual patients. Cancer Res; 76(18); 5219-28. ©2016 AACR.
Insights
Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)-targeted therapies face resistance via bypass signaling. This study identifies the JNK pathway as crucial for RTK bypass resistance, enabling better combination therapy selection.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Resistance to receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)-targeted therapies limits clinical efficacy.
- Bypass signaling, where untargeted RTKs reactivate survival pathways, is a common resistance mechanism.
- Understanding the specific downstream signaling events driving bypass resistance is critical for effective combination therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key downstream signaling events responsible for RTK-mediated bypass resistance.
- To elucidate how different RTKs contribute to therapeutic resistance through distinct downstream pathway activations.
- To validate the role of specific pathways, such as JNK, in modulating bypass resistance.
Main Methods:
- A combined experimental and statistical modeling approach was employed.
- Analysis of downstream signaling events in response to RTK inhibition.
- Experimental validation of identified resistance pathways.
Main Results:
- Identified a set of pathway reactivations essential for RTK-mediated bypass resistance.
- Demonstrated that downstream pathway activation differences qualitatively alter a receptor's capacity to drive resistance.
- Validated that the JNK pathway is activated during bypass resistance and significantly modulates it.
Conclusions:
- The JNK pathway plays a critical role in mediating RTK bypass resistance.
- Findings inform the design of combination therapies to overcome bypass-mediated resistance.
- Provides insights into network-level kinase dependence changes for prognostic assay development.
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