1. Targeting the MITF/APAF-1 axis as salvage therapy for MAPK inhibitors in resistant melanoma.
- Author
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Carotenuto P, Romano A, Barbato A, Quadrano P, Brillante S, Volpe M, Ferrante L, Tammaro R, Morleo M, De Cegli R, Iuliano A, Testa M, Andreone F, Ciliberto G, Clery E, Troncone G, Palma G, Arra C, Barbieri A, Capone M, Madonna G, Ascierto PA, Lanfrancone L, Indrieri A, and Franco B
- Subjects
- Humans, Apoptosis, Cell Line, Tumor, Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic, Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor metabolism, Protein Kinase Inhibitors pharmacology, Protein Kinase Inhibitors therapeutic use, Melanoma pathology, Salvage Therapy
- Abstract
Melanoma is a deadly form of cancer characterized by remarkable therapy resistance. Analyzing the transcriptome of MAPK inhibitor sensitive- and resistant-melanoma, we discovered that APAF-1 is negatively regulated by MITF in resistant tumors. This study identifies the MITF/APAF-1 axis as a molecular driver of MAPK inhibitor resistance. A drug-repositioning screen identified quinacrine and methylbenzethonium as potent activators of apoptosis in a context that mimics drug resistance mediated by APAF-1 inactivation. The compounds showed anti-tumor activity in in vitro and in vivo models, linked to suppression of MITF function. Both drugs profoundly sensitize melanoma cells to MAPK inhibitors, regulating key signaling networks in melanoma, including the MITF/APAF-1 axis. Significant activity of the two compounds in inhibiting specific epigenetic modulators of MITF/APAF-1 expression, such as histone deacetylases, was observed. In summary, we demonstrate that targeting the MITF/APAF-1 axis may overcome resistance and could be exploited as a potential therapeutic approach to treat resistant melanoma., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests P.A.A. reports grants and/or personal fees from BMS, Roche-Genentech and Array, MSD, Novartis, Merck Serono, Pierre Fabre, Incyte, Genmab, NewLink Genetics, Medimmune, AstraZeneca, Syndax, Sun Pharma, Sanofi, Idera, Ultimovacs, Sandoz, Immunocore, 4SC, Alkermes, and Nektar, Italfarmaco, outside the submitted work. All other authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2022
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