Histone Deacetylase 3 Inhibition Overcomes BIM Deletion Polymorphism-Mediated Osimertinib Resistance in EGFR- Mutant Lung Cancer

Clin Cancer Res. 2017 Jun 15;23(12):3139-3149. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-16-2271. Epub 2016 Dec 16.

Abstract

Purpose: The BIM deletion polymorphism is associated with apoptosis resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI), such as gefitinib and erlotinib, in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring EGFR mutations. Here, we investigated whether the BIM deletion polymorphism contributes to resistance against osimertinib, a third-generation EGFR-TKI. In addition, we determined the efficacy of a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, vorinostat, against this form of resistance and elucidated the underlying mechanism.Experimental Design: We used EGFR-mutated NSCLC cell lines, which were either heterozygous or homozygous for the BIM deletion polymorphism, to evaluate the effect of osimertinib in vitro and in vivo Protein expression was examined by Western blotting. Alternative splicing of BIM mRNA was analyzed by RT-PCR.Results:EGFR-mutated NSCLC cell lines with the BIM deletion polymorphism exhibited apoptosis resistance to osimertinib in a polymorphism dosage-dependent manner, and this resistance was overcome by combined use with vorinostat. Experiments with homozygous BIM deletion-positive cells revealed that vorinostat affected the alternative splicing of BIM mRNA in the deletion allele, increased the expression of active BIM protein, and thereby induced apoptosis in osimertinib-treated cells. These effects were mediated predominantly by HDAC3 inhibition. In xenograft models, combined use of vorinostat with osimertinib could regress tumors in EGFR-mutated NSCLC cells homozygous for the BIM deletion polymorphism. Moreover, this combination could induce apoptosis even when tumor cells acquired EGFR-T790M mutations.Conclusions: These findings indicate the importance of developing HDAC3-selective inhibitors, and their combined use with osimertinib, for treating EGFR-mutated lung cancers carrying the BIM deletion polymorphism. Clin Cancer Res; 23(12); 3139-49. ©2016 AACR.

MeSH terms

  • Acrylamides
  • Aniline Compounds
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Bcl-2-Like Protein 11 / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics*
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Histone Deacetylases / administration & dosage
  • Histone Deacetylases / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxamic Acids / administration & dosage
  • Hydroxamic Acids / adverse effects
  • Piperazines / administration & dosage*
  • Piperazines / adverse effects
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Sequence Deletion
  • Vorinostat

Substances

  • Acrylamides
  • Aniline Compounds
  • Bcl-2-Like Protein 11
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • Hydroxamic Acids
  • Piperazines
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • osimertinib
  • Vorinostat
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Histone Deacetylases
  • histone deacetylase 3