Targeting the mSWI/SNF complex in POU2F-POU2AF transcription factor-driven malignancies
- PMID: 39029462
- PMCID: PMC12147762
- DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2024.06.006
Targeting the mSWI/SNF complex in POU2F-POU2AF transcription factor-driven malignancies
Abstract
The POU2F3-POU2AF2/3 transcription factor complex is the master regulator of the tuft cell lineage and tuft cell-like small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Here, we identify a specific dependence of the POU2F3 molecular subtype of SCLC (SCLC-P) on the activity of the mammalian switch/sucrose non-fermentable (mSWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complex. Treatment of SCLC-P cells with a proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) degrader of mSWI/SNF ATPases evicts POU2F3 and its coactivators from chromatin and attenuates downstream signaling. B cell malignancies which are dependent on the POU2F1/2 cofactor, POU2AF1, are also sensitive to mSWI/SNF ATPase degraders, with treatment leading to chromatin eviction of POU2AF1 and IRF4 and decreased IRF4 signaling in multiple myeloma cells. An orally bioavailable mSWI/SNF ATPase degrader significantly inhibits tumor growth in preclinical models of SCLC-P and multiple myeloma without signs of toxicity. This study suggests that POU2F-POU2AF-driven malignancies have an intrinsic dependence on the mSWI/SNF complex, representing a therapeutic vulnerability.
Keywords: IRF4; POU2AF1/2/3; POU2F3; PROTAC; SCLC; SMARCA2/4; mSWI/SNF complex; multiple myeloma; proteolysis targeting chimera; small cell lung cancer.
Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Conflict of interest statement
Declaration of interests A.M.C. serves on the clinical advisory board of Aurigene Oncology Limited. C.A., S.S., and M.R. are employees of Aurigene Oncology Limited. C.R.V. has received consulting fees from Flare Therapeutics, Roivant Sciences, and C4 Therapeutics; he has served on the advisory boards of KSQ Therapeutics, Syros Pharmaceuticals, and Treeline Biosciences. C.R.V. has also received research funding from Boehringer-Ingelheim and Treeline Biosciences and owns stock in Treeline Biosciences. Aurigene Oncology Limited has filed patent applications on AU-15330 and AU-24118. C.M.R. has consulted regarding oncology drug development with AbbVie, Amgen, Astra Zeneca, D2G, Daiichi Sankyo, Epizyme, Genentech/Roche, Ipsen, Jazz, Kowa, Lilly, Merck, and Syros. C.M.R. serves on the scientific advisory boards of Auron, Bridge Medicines, DISCO, Earli, and Harpoon Therapeutics.
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Targeting the mSWI/SNF Complex in POU2F-POU2AF Transcription Factor-Driven Malignancies.bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2024 May 24:2024.01.22.576669. doi: 10.1101/2024.01.22.576669. bioRxiv. 2024. Update in: Cancer Cell. 2024 Aug 12;42(8):1336-1351.e9. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2024.06.006. PMID: 38328238 Free PMC article. Updated. Preprint.
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