The Extracellular Niche and Tumor Microenvironment Enhance KRAS Inhibitor Efficacy in Pancreatic Cancer
The Extracellular Niche and Tumor Microenvironment Enhance KRAS Inhibitor Efficacy in Pancreatic Cancer
Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive disease that lacks effective treatment options, highlighting the need for developing new therapeutic interventions. Here, we assessed the response to pharmacologic inhibition of KRAS, the central oncogenic driver of PDAC. In a panel of PDAC cell lines, inhibition of KRASG12D with MRTX1133 yielded variable efficacy in suppressing cell growth and downstream gene expression programs in 2D cultures. On the basis of CRISPR-Cas9 loss-of-function screens, ITGB1 was identified as a target to enhance the therapeutic response to MRTX1133 by regulating mechanotransduction signaling and YAP/TAZ expression, which was confirmed by gene-specific knockdown and combinatorial drug synergy. Interestingly, MRTX1133 was considerably more efficacious in 3D cell cultures. Moreover, MRTX1133 elicited a pronounced cytostatic effect in vivo and controlled tumor growth in PDAC patient-derived xenografts. In syngeneic models, KRASG12D inhibition led to tumor regression that did not occur in immune-deficient hosts. Digital spatial profiling on tumor tissues indicated that MRTX1133-mediated KRAS inhibition enhanced IFNγ signaling and induced antigen presentation that modulated the tumor microenvironment. Further investigation of the immunologic response using single-cell sequencing and multispectral imaging revealed that tumor regression was associated with suppression of neutrophils and influx of effector CD8+ T cells. Together, these findings demonstrate that both tumor cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic events contribute to response to MRTX1133 and credential KRASG12D inhibition as a promising therapeutic strategy for a large percentage of patients with PDAC. Significance: Pharmacologic inhibition of KRAS elicits varied responses in pancreatic cancer 2D cell lines, 3D organoid cultures, and xenografts, underscoring the importance of mechanotransduction and the tumor microenvironment in regulating therapeutic responses.
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center United States
- Roswell Park Cancer Institute United States
Naphthalenes, Mechanotransduction, Cellular, Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring, Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras), Pancreatic Neoplasms, Translational Cancer Biology, Cell Line, Tumor, Mutation, Tumor Microenvironment, Humans, Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal
Naphthalenes, Mechanotransduction, Cellular, Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring, Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras), Pancreatic Neoplasms, Translational Cancer Biology, Cell Line, Tumor, Mutation, Tumor Microenvironment, Humans, Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal
1 Research products, page 1 of 1
- IsRelatedTo
citations This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).8 popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.Top 10% influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).Average impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.Top 10%
