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. 2024 Mar 11;42(3):413-428.e7.
doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2024.01.012. Epub 2024 Feb 22.

Adeno-to-squamous transition drives resistance to KRAS inhibition in LKB1 mutant lung cancer

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Adeno-to-squamous transition drives resistance to KRAS inhibition in LKB1 mutant lung cancer

Xinyuan Tong et al. Cancer Cell. .
Free article

Abstract

KRASG12C inhibitors (adagrasib and sotorasib) have shown clinical promise in targeting KRASG12C-mutated lung cancers; however, most patients eventually develop resistance. In lung patients with adenocarcinoma with KRASG12C and STK11/LKB1 co-mutations, we find an enrichment of the squamous cell carcinoma gene signature in pre-treatment biopsies correlates with a poor response to adagrasib. Studies of Lkb1-deficient KRASG12C and KrasG12D lung cancer mouse models and organoids treated with KRAS inhibitors reveal tumors invoke a lineage plasticity program, adeno-to-squamous transition (AST), that enables resistance to KRAS inhibition. Transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses reveal ΔNp63 drives AST and modulates response to KRAS inhibition. We identify an intermediate high-plastic cell state marked by expression of an AST plasticity signature and Krt6a. Notably, expression of the AST plasticity signature and KRT6A at baseline correlates with poor adagrasib responses. These data indicate the role of AST in KRAS inhibitor resistance and provide predictive biomarkers for KRAS-targeted therapies in lung cancer.

Keywords: KRAS inhibitor; KRT6A; LKB1; adeno-to-squamous transition, AST; organoid.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interests A.J.A. has consulted for Anji Pharmaceuticals, Arrakis Therapeutics, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Oncorus, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., Mirati Therapeutics, Nimbus Therapeutics, Plexium, Revolution Medicines, Reactive Biosciences, Riva Therapeutics, Servier Pharmaceuticals, Syros Pharmaceuticals, T-knife Therapeutics. A.J.A. holds equity in Riva Therapeutics. A.J.A. has received research funding from Bristol Myers Squibb, Deerfield, Inc., Eli Lilly, Mirati Therapeutics, Novartis, Novo Ventures, Revolution Medicines, and Syros Pharmaceuticals. K.-K.W. has research funding and/or consulted for Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb, Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Blueprint Medicines, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Mirati Therapeutics, Novartis, Genentech, Merus, Bridgebio Pharma, Xilio Therapeutics, Allerion Therapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cogent Therapeutics, Revolution Medicines and AstraZeneca.

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