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Updated: Aug 11, 2025

Assessing Cellular Target Engagement by SHP2 PTPN11 Phosphatase Inhibitors
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Assessing Cellular Target Engagement by SHP2 PTPN11 Phosphatase Inhibitors

Published on: July 17, 2020

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Developing SHP2-based combination therapy for KRAS-amplified cancer

Tianxia Li1, Osamu Kikuchi1, Jin Zhou1

  • 1Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

JCI Insight
|February 8, 2023
PubMed

Insights

SHP2 inhibitors show promise for KRAS-amplified gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas (GEA). Combining SHP2 inhibition with CDK4/6 or pan-ERBB kinase inhibitors demonstrates potent anti-tumor effects in preclinical models.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

  • Gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas (GEAs) frequently exhibit KRAS amplification, leading to high WT KRAS protein levels.
  • SHP2 phosphatase promotes KRAS and MAPK pathway activation, making it a potential therapeutic target in GEA.
  • Previous studies showed SHP2 inhibition combined with MEK inhibition is effective in GEA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify novel combination strategies to enhance SHP2 inhibitor efficacy in KRAS-amplified GEA.
  • To explore targets both within and outside the MAPK pathway for combination therapy.
  • To evaluate the therapeutic potential of combining SHP2 inhibition with other targeted agents.

Main Methods:

  • Genome-wide CRISPR screens were performed in KRAS-amplified GEA cell lines with and without SHP2 inhibition.
  • In vitro and in vivo experiments assessed the efficacy of various combination therapies.
  • Comparative analysis of combination efficacy in KRAS-amplified versus KRAS-mutant tumors was conducted.

Main Results:

  • Candidate targets within the MAPK pathway and upstream receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) were identified to enhance SHP2 efficacy.
  • Pan-ERBB kinase inhibition showed potent cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo.
  • CDK4/6 inhibition combined effectively with SHP2 inhibition, particularly in KRAS-amplified GEA.

Conclusions:

  • SHP2 inhibitors can serve as a foundation for novel combination therapies in KRAS-amplified GEA.
  • Combination strategies involving SHP2 inhibition with pan-ERBB kinase or CDK4/6 inhibitors warrant clinical investigation.
  • These findings offer promising therapeutic avenues for patients with KRAS-amplified GEA.
Keywords:
Drug therapyOncogenesOncologySignal transduction

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