Scientific article
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RAS activation induces synthetic lethality of MEK inhibition with mitochondrial oxidative metabolism in acute myeloid leukemia

Published inLeukemia, vol. 36, no. 5, p. 1237-1252
Publication date2022-05
First online date2022-03-30
Abstract

Despite recent advances in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) molecular characterization and targeted therapies, a majority of AML cases still lack therapeutically actionable targets. In 127 AML cases with unmet therapeutic needs, as defined by the exclusion of ELN favorable cases and of FLT3-ITD mutations, we identified 51 (40%) cases with alterations in RAS pathway genes (RAS+, mostly NF1, NRAS, KRAS, and PTPN11 genes). In 79 homogeneously treated AML patients from this cohort, RAS+ status were associated with higher white blood cell count, higher LDH, and reduced survival. In AML models of oncogenic addiction to RAS-MEK signaling, the MEK inhibitor trametinib demonstrated antileukemic activity in vitro and in vivo. However, the efficacy of trametinib was heterogeneous in ex vivo cultures of primary RAS+ AML patient specimens. From repurposing drug screens in RAS-activated AML cells, we identified pyrvinium pamoate, an anti-helminthic agent efficiently inhibiting the growth of RAS+ primary AML cells ex vivo, preferentially in trametinib-resistant PTPN11- or KRAS-mutated samples. Metabolic and genetic complementarity between trametinib and pyrvinium pamoate translated into anti-AML synergy in vitro. Moreover, this combination inhibited the propagation of RA+ AML cells in vivo in mice, indicating a potential for future clinical development of this strategy in AML.

Keywords
  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / drug therapy
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / genetics
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / genetics
  • Mutation
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / metabolism
  • Synthetic Lethal Mutations
  • Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3 / metabolism
Citation (ISO format)
DECROOCQ, Justine et al. RAS activation induces synthetic lethality of MEK inhibition with mitochondrial oxidative metabolism in acute myeloid leukemia. In: Leukemia, 2022, vol. 36, n° 5, p. 1237–1252. doi: 10.1038/s41375-022-01541-0
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ISSN of the journal0887-6924
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