Karonudib has potent anti-tumor effects in preclinical models of B-cell lymphoma

Sci Rep. 2021 Mar 18;11(1):6317. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-85613-8.

Abstract

Chemo-immunotherapy has improved survival in B-cell lymphoma patients, but refractory/relapsed diseases still represent a major challenge, urging for development of new therapeutics. Karonudib (TH1579) was developed to inhibit MTH1, an enzyme preventing oxidized dNTP-incorporation in DNA. MTH1 is highly upregulated in tumor biopsies from patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Burkitt lymphoma, hence confirming a rationale for targeting MTH1. Here, we tested the efficacy of karonudib in vitro and in preclinical B-cell lymphoma models. Using a range of B-cell lymphoma cell lines, karonudib strongly reduced viability at concentrations well tolerated by activated normal B cells. In B-cell lymphoma cells, karonudib increased incorporation of 8-oxo-dGTP into DNA, and prominently induced prometaphase arrest and apoptosis due to failure in spindle assembly. MTH1 knockout cell lines were less sensitive to karonudib-induced apoptosis, but were displaying cell cycle arrest phenotype similar to the wild type cells, indicating a dual inhibitory role of the drug. Karonudib was highly potent as single agent in two different lymphoma xenograft models, including an ABC DLBCL patient derived xenograft, leading to prolonged survival and fully controlled tumor growth. Together, our preclinical findings provide a rationale for further clinical testing of karonudib in B-cell lymphoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / drug therapy*
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / genetics
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / pathology
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • DNA / biosynthesis
  • DNA Repair Enzymes / antagonists & inhibitors
  • DNA Repair Enzymes / genetics*
  • Deoxyguanine Nucleotides / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / drug therapy*
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / genetics
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / pathology
  • Mice
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / genetics*
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Deoxyguanine Nucleotides
  • Pyrimidines
  • karonudib
  • 8-oxodeoxyguanosine triphosphate
  • DNA
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases
  • 8-oxodGTPase
  • DNA Repair Enzymes