Tumour kinome re-wiring governs resistance to palbociclib in oestrogen receptor positive breast cancers, highlighting new therapeutic modalities

Oncogene. 2020 Jun;39(25):4781-4797. doi: 10.1038/s41388-020-1284-6. Epub 2020 Apr 19.

Abstract

Combination of CDK4/6 inhibitors and endocrine therapy improves clinical outcome in advanced oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer, however relapse is inevitable. Here, we show in model systems that other than loss of RB1 few gene-copy number (CN) alterations are associated with irreversible-resistance to endocrine therapy and subsequent secondary resistance to palbociclib. Resistance to palbociclib occurred as a result of tumour cell re-wiring leading to increased expression of EGFR, MAPK, CDK4, CDK2, CDK7, CCNE1 and CCNE2. Resistance altered the ER genome wide-binding pattern, leading to decreased expression of 'classical' oestrogen-regulated genes and was accompanied by reduced sensitivity to fulvestrant and tamoxifen. Persistent CDK4 blockade decreased phosphorylation of tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) enhancing EGFR signalling, leading to the re-wiring of ER. Kinome-knockdown confirmed dependency on ERBB-signalling and G2/M-checkpoint proteins such as WEE1, together with the cell cycle master regulator, CDK7. Noteworthy, sensitivity to CDK7 inhibition was associated with loss of ER and RB1 CN. Overall, we show that resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors is dependent on kinase re-wiring and the redeployment of signalling cascades previously associated with endocrine resistance and highlights new therapeutic networks that can be exploited upon relapse after CDK4/6 inhibition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacology
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 / genetics
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 / metabolism
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6 / genetics
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6 / metabolism
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Female
  • Fulvestrant / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Piperazines / pharmacology*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Pyridines / pharmacology*
  • RNA Interference
  • Receptors, Estrogen / genetics*
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism
  • Retinoblastoma Protein / genetics
  • Retinoblastoma Protein / metabolism
  • Tamoxifen / administration & dosage
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays / methods

Substances

  • Piperazines
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyridines
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Retinoblastoma Protein
  • Tamoxifen
  • Fulvestrant
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6
  • palbociclib