Shifted assembly and function of mSWI/SNF family subcomplexes underlie targetable dependencies in dedifferentiated endometrial carcinomas

Abstract

The mammalian (m)SWI/SNF family of chromatin remodelers govern cell type-specific chromatin accessibility and gene expression and assemble as three distinct complexes: canonical BRG1-associated or BRM-associated factor (cBAF), poly(bromo)-associated BAF (PBAF) and noncanonical BAF (ncBAF). ARID1A and ARID1B are paralog subunits that specifically nucleate the assembly of cBAF complexes and are frequently co-mutated in highly aggressive dedifferentiated or undifferentiated endometrial carcinomas (DDEC/UECs). Here in cellular models and primary human tumors, we find that ARID1A and/or ARID1B (ARID1A/B) deficiency-mediated cBAF loss results in increased ncBAF and PBAF biochemical abundance and chromatin-level functions to maintain the DDEC oncogenic state. Furthermore, treatment with clinical-grade SMARCA4 and/or SMARCA2 ATPase inhibitors markedly attenuates DDEC cell proliferation and tumor growth in vivo and synergizes with carboplatin-based chemotherapy to extend survival. These findings reveal the oncogenic contributions of shifted mSWI/SNF family complex stoichiometry and resulting gene-regulatory dysregulation and suggest therapeutic utility of mSWI/SNF small molecule inhibitors in DDEC/UECs and other cBAF-disrupted cancer types.