Histone Deacetylase 6 Inhibition Exploits Selective Metabolic Vulnerabilities in LKB1 Mutant, KRAS Driven NSCLC

Hua Zhang, Christopher S. Nabel, Dezhi Li, Ruth O'Connor, Caroline R. Crosby, Sarah M. Chang, Yuan Hao, Robyn Stanley, Soumyadip Sahu, Daniel S. Levin, Ting Chen, Sittinon Tang, Hsin Yi Huang, Mary Meynardie, Janaye Stephens, Fiona Sherman, Alison Chafitz, Naoise Costelloe, Daniel A. Rodrigues, Hilda FogartyMiranda G. Kiernan, Fiona Cronin, Eleni Papadopoulos, Magdalena Ploszaj, Vajira Weerasekara, Jiehui Deng, Patrick Kiely, Nabeel Bardeesy, Matthew G. Vander Heiden, Triona Ni Chonghaile, Catríona M. Dowling, Kwok Kin Wong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Introduction: In KRAS-mutant NSCLC, co-occurring alterations in LKB1 confer a negative prognosis compared with other mutations such as TP53. LKB1 is a tumor suppressor that coordinates several signaling pathways in response to energetic stress. Our recent work on pharmacologic and genetic inhibition of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) revealed the impaired activity of numerous enzymes involved in glycolysis. On the basis of these previous findings, we explored the therapeutic window for HDAC6 inhibition in metabolically-active KRAS-mutant lung tumors. Methods: Using cell lines derived from mouse autochthonous tumors bearing the KRAS/LKB1 (KL) and KRAS/TP53 mutant genotypes to control for confounding germline and somatic mutations in human models, we characterize the metabolic phenotypes at baseline and in response to HDAC6 inhibition. The impact of HDAC6 inhibition was measured on cancer cell growth in vitro and on tumor growth in vivo. Results: Surprisingly, KL-mutant cells revealed reduced levels of redox-sensitive cofactors at baseline. This is associated with increased sensitivity to pharmacologic HDAC6 inhibition with ACY-1215 and blunted ability to increase compensatory metabolism and buffer oxidative stress. Seeking synergistic metabolic combination treatments, we found enhanced cell killing and antitumor efficacy with glutaminase inhibition in KL lung cancer models in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions: Exploring the differential metabolism of KL and KRAS/TP53-mutant NSCLC, we identified decreased metabolic reserve in KL-mutant tumors. HDAC6 inhibition exploited a therapeutic window in KL NSCLC on the basis of a diminished ability to compensate for impaired glycolysis, nominating a novel strategy for the treatment of KRAS-mutant NSCLC with co-occurring LKB1 mutations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)882-895
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology
Volume18
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2023

Keywords

  • Glutaminase inhibition
  • Glycolysis
  • HDAC6
  • KRAS
  • LKB1
  • Oxidative stress

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