CRISPR genome-wide screening identifies PAK1 as a critical driver of ARSI cross-resistance in prostate cancer progression

Abstract

Next-generation androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSIs), such as enzalutamide (Enza) and darolutamide (Daro), are initially effective for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer (PCa) and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, patients often relapse and develop cross-resistance, which consequently makes drug resistance an inevitable cause of CRPC-related mortality. By conducting a comprehensive analysis of GEO datasets, CRISPR genome-wide screening results, ATAC-seq data, and RNA-seq data, we systemically identified PAK1 as a significant contributor to ARSI cross-resistance due to the activation of the PAK1/RELA/hnRNPA1/AR-V7 axis. Inhibition of PAK1 followed by suppression of NF-κB pathways and AR-V7 expression effectively overcomes ARSI cross-resistance. Our findings indicate that PAK1 represents a promising therapeutic target gene for the treatment of ARSI cross-resistant PCa patients in the clinic. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: PAK1 drives ARSI cross-resistance in prostate cancer progression.

Keywords: ARSI; ATAC-seq; Androgen receptor; CRISPR screen; Cross resistance; PAK1; Prostate cancer.