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Published on: January 7, 2019
Proteogenetic drug response profiling elucidates targetable vulnerabilities of myelofibrosis
Mattheus H E Wildschut1,2,3, Julien Mena1, Cyril Dördelmann4
1Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Myelofibrosis is a hematopoietic stem cell disorder belonging to the myeloproliferative neoplasms. Myelofibrosis patients frequently carry driver mutations in either JAK2 or Calreticulin (CALR) and have limited therapeutic options. Here, we integrate ex vivo drug response and proteotype analyses across myelofibrosis patient cohorts to discover targetable vulnerabilities and associated therapeutic strategies. Drug sensitivities of mutated and progenitor cells were measured in patient blood using high-content imaging and single-cell deep learning-based analyses. Integration with matched molecular profiling revealed three targetable vulnerabilities. First, CALR mutations drive BET and HDAC inhibitor sensitivity, particularly in the absence of high Ras pathway protein levels. Second, an MCM complex-high proliferative signature corresponds to advanced disease and sensitivity to drugs targeting pro-survival signaling and DNA replication. Third, homozygous CALR mutations result in high endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, responding to ER stressors and unfolded protein response inhibition. Overall, our integrated analyses provide a molecularly motivated roadmap for individualized myelofibrosis patient treatment.
Insights
This study identifies new drug targets for myelofibrosis, a stem cell disorder. Researchers found specific mutations, like Calreticulin (CALR), predict responses to certain therapies, offering a personalized treatment approach.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- Myelofibrosis is a myeloproliferative neoplasm affecting hematopoietic stem cells.
- Patients often have JAK2 or Calreticulin (CALR) mutations, with limited treatment options.
Purpose of the Study:
- To integrate ex vivo drug response and proteotype data in myelofibrosis patients.
- To discover targetable vulnerabilities and guide individualized therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- High-content imaging and single-cell deep learning analyzed drug sensitivities in patient blood.
- Ex vivo drug response data was integrated with molecular profiling.
Main Results:
- CALR mutations correlate with sensitivity to BET and HDAC inhibitors, especially without high Ras pathway activity.
- A proliferative signature (MCM complex-high) indicates advanced disease and sensitivity to DNA replication and pro-survival drugs.
- Homozygous CALR mutations lead to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, suggesting sensitivity to ER stressors and unfolded protein response inhibitors.
Conclusions:
- Integrated analyses reveal three distinct targetable vulnerabilities in myelofibrosis.
- Findings provide a molecularly-driven roadmap for personalized myelofibrosis treatment.
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