Cancer Discov. 2021 Sep 20:candisc.1726.2020. doi: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-20-1726. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6), represent a major therapeutic vulnerability for breast cancer. The kinases are clinically targeted via ATP competitive inhibitors (CDK4/6i); however, drug resistance commonly emerges over time. To understand CDK4/6i resistance, we surveyed over 1,300 breast cancers and identify several genetic alterations (e.g. FAT1, PTEN or ARID1A loss) converging on upregulation of CDK6. Mechanistically, we demonstrate CDK6 causes resistance by inducing and binding CDK inhibitor INK4 proteins (e.g. p18INK4C). In vitro binding and kinase assays together with physical modeling reveal that the p18INK4C/D-cyclin/CDK6 complex occludes CDK4/6i binding while only weakly suppressing ATP binding. Suppression of INK4 expression or its binding to CDK6 restores CDK4/6i sensitivity. To overcome this constraint, we developed bifunctional degraders conjugating palbociclib with E3 ligands. Two resulting lead compounds potently degraded CDK4/6, leading to substantial antitumor effects in vivo, demonstrating the promising therapeutic potential for retargeting CDK4/6 despite CDK4/6i resistance.
PMID:34544752 | DOI:10.1158/2159-8290.CD-20-1726