CDK7 inhibitor THZ1 inhibits MCL1 synthesis and drives cholangiocarcinoma apoptosis in combination with BCL2/BCL-XL inhibitor ABT-263

Cell Death Dis. 2019 Aug 9;10(8):602. doi: 10.1038/s41419-019-1831-7.

Abstract

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a fatal disease without effective targeted therapy. We screened a small-molecule library of 116 inhibitors targeting different targets of the cell cycle and discovered several kinases, including Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) as vulnerabilities in CCA. Analysis of multiple CCA data sets demonstrated that CDK7 was overexpressed in CCA tissues. Further studies demonstrated that CDK7 inhibitor THZ1 inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis in CCA cells. We also showed that THZ1 inhibited CCA cell growth in a xenograft model. RNA-sequencing followed by Gene ontology analysis showed a striking impact of THZ1 on DNA-templated transcriptional programs. THZ1 downregulated CDK7-mediated phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II, indicative of transcriptional inhibition. A number of oncogenic transcription factors and survival proteins, like MCL1, FOSL1, and RUNX1, were repressed by THZ1. MCL1, one of the antiapoptotic BCL2 family members, was significantly inhibited upon THZ1 treatment. Accordingly, combining THZ1 with a BCL2/BCL-XL inhibitor ABT-263 synergized in impairing cell growth and driving apoptosis. Our results demonstrate CDK7 as a potential target in treating CCA. Combinations of CDK7 inhibition and BCL2/BCL-XL inhibition may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for CCA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aniline Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / drug therapy*
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / genetics
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / pathology
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-Activating Kinase
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / genetics*
  • Drug Synergism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein / biosynthesis
  • Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein / genetics*
  • Phenylenediamines / pharmacology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / genetics
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology*
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
  • bcl-X Protein / antagonists & inhibitors
  • bcl-X Protein / genetics

Substances

  • Aniline Compounds
  • BCL2 protein, human
  • BCL2L1 protein, human
  • MCL1 protein, human
  • Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein
  • Phenylenediamines
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Pyrimidines
  • Sulfonamides
  • THZ1 compound
  • bcl-X Protein
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases
  • navitoclax
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-Activating Kinase