Resistance to BRAF inhibitors drives melanoma sensitivity to Chk1 inhibition

Abstract

BRAF inhibitor-resistant melanomas (BRAFiR) acquire (epi)genetic and functional alterations that enable them to evade alternative treatments. Identifying these alterations is critical to advancing treatment strategies. Here, we explored the effect of Chk1 inhibition (Chk1i) on BRAFiR cells, revealing higher sensitivity compared to treatment-naïve cells both in vitro and in vivo. Using FUCCI-labeling and time-lapse microscopy, we show that S phase progression is required for Chk1i-induced cytotoxicity in BRAFiR cells, but not in treatment-naïve cells. Replication stress markers, including reduced BrdU incorporation and increased phospho-RPA and γH2AX, were observed mostly in BRAFiR cells with increased sensitivity to Chk1i. Untreated BRAFiR cells exhibited upregulated DNA replication genes, reduced progressing forks and increased origin firing, suggesting intrinsic replication changes. MAPK pathway reactivation in treatment-naïve cells mimicked BRAFiR traits, increasing sensitivity to Chk1i. These findings indicate that Chk1i exploits elevated replication stress specifically in BRAFiR cells, highlighting its therapeutic potential in overcoming MAPK inhibitor resistance in BRAF⁶⁰⁰-mutant melanoma.

Keywords: BRAF; Melanoma; Replication Stress; Targeted therapy.