Dual targeting of CDK4/6 and BCL2 pathways augments tumor response in estrogen receptor positive breast cancer

Whittle, JR; Vaillant, F; Surgenor, E; Policheni, AN; Giner, G; Capaldo, BD; Chen, HR; Liu, HK; Dekkers, JF; Sachs, N; Clevers, H; Fellowes, A; Green, T; Xu, H; Fox, SB; Herold, MJ; Smyth, GK; Gray, DHD; Visvader, JE; Lindeman, GJ

Author(s): Whittle, JR; Vaillant, F; Surgenor, E; Policheni, AN; Giner, G; Capaldo, BD; Chen, HR; Liu, HK; Dekkers, JF; Sachs, N; Clevers, H; Fellowes, A; Green, T; Xu, H; Fox, SB; Herold, MJ; Smyth, GK; Gray, DHD; Visvader, JE; Lindeman, GJ;
Details: Publication Year 2020-04-03,Volume 26,Issue #15,Page 4120-4134
Journal Title: Clinical Cancer Research
Publication Type: Journal
Abstract: PURPOSE: Although cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors significantly extend tumor response in patients with metastatic ER-positive (ER+) breast cancer, relapse is almost inevitable. This may in part reflect the failure of CDK4/6 inhibitors to induce apoptotic cell death. We therefore evaluated combination therapy with ABT-199 (venetoclax), a potent and selective BCL2 inhibitor. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: BCL2 family member expression was assessed following treatment with endocrine therapy and the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib. Functional assays were used to determine the impact of adding ABT-199 to fulvestrant and palbociclib in ER+ breast cancer cell lines, patient derived organoid (PDO) and patient derived xenograft (PDX) models. A syngeneic ER+ mouse mammary tumor model was used to study the effect of combination therapy on the immune system. RESULTS: Triple therapy was well-tolerated and produced a superior and more durable tumor response compared to single or doublet therapy. This was associated with marked apoptosis, including of senescent cells, indicative of senolysis. Unexpectedly, ABT-199 resulted in Rb dephosphorylation and reduced G1/S cyclins, most notable at high doses, thereby intensifying the fulvestrant/palbociclib-induced cell cycle arrest. Interestingly, a CRISPR/Cas9 screen suggested that ABT-199 could mitigate loss of Rb (and potentially other mechanisms of acquired resistance) to palbociclib. ABT-199 did not abrogate the favorable immunomodulatory effects of palbociclib in a syngeneic ER+ mammary tumor model and extended tumor response when combined with anti-PD1 therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrates the potential for targeting BCL2 in combination with CDK4/6 inhibitors and supports investigation of combination therapy in ER+ breast cancer.
Publisher: AACR
Research Division(s): Cancer Biology And Stem Cells; Immunology; Bioinformatics; Blood Cells And Blood Cancer
PubMed ID: 32245900
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-19-1872
NHMRC Grants: NHMRC/1054618, NHMRC/1113133, NHMRC/1153049, NHMRC/1090236, NHMRC/1058892, NHMRC/1037230, NHMRC/1078730,
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Creation Date: 2020-04-07 01:20:10

Last Modified: 2021-03-26 02:41:47