Novel ROS1 mutations reveal a predictive mutational model for TKI sensitivity
In tumors with tumor-specific genetic alterations (i.e. 20-40% lung cancers), cancer cells are highly dependent on the function of a single oncogene, defined as ‘driver oncogene’ for their proliferation and survival. Many oncogene alterations have been identified in cancer – including ALK (Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase), FGFR1-4 (Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor), EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor), BRAF, ROS1 and HER2 (Erb-B2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinase 2).
Cancer treatment options have therefore been enriched by a ‘targeted therapy’ based on individual tumor biology. This novel therapeutic approach often increases the median survival in metastatic cancers. Unfortunately, most tumors are capable of adapting to the treatment thereby limiting the clinical benefit of these new targeted therapies.
Fig. 1. Predictive model for drug sensitivity of ROS1 mutations.
Here we studied the case of a 63 year-old male never-smoker diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC (non small cell lung cancer) adenocarcinoma with diffuse lymph node and pleural involvement. This patient harbored an ezrin (EZR)-ROS1 fusion gene. The first generation ALK/ROS1 kinase inhibitor, crizotinib, allowed disease control and excellent clinical tolerability over 22 months of treatment. At relapse, a biopsy was performed in order to elucidate the mechanism of acquired resistance to crizotinib. Sequencing of the tumor revealed the presence of novel S1986Y and S1986F mutations.
In vitro functional studies were undertaken to investigate the potency of next generation ALK/ROS1 TKIs on those mutations and held a decisive influence on therapeutic strategies. Using Ba/F3 cells expressing native or mutated EZR-ROS1, we functionally demonstrated that S1986F/Y substitutions confer crizotinib and ceritinib resistance. However, the third generation ALK/ROS1 inhibitor lorlatinib, more potent against WT ROS1 maintained strong growth inhibition of ROS1S1986F/Y mutated cells. The patient’s clinical response confirmed the potency of lorlatinib against S1986Y/F mutations and the disease remains controlled without any signs of progression after 13 months of therapy.
Modeling theoretical sensitivity of ROS1 patients according to their mutational status can provide therapeutic guidance and generate significant clinical benefits by avoiding worthless treatments in the presence of novel resistance mutations. Therefore, we took advantage of the structural homology of ROS1 and ALK to build a predictive model for drug sensitivity to most relevant ALK/ROS1 inhibitors regarding ROS1 mutations expected to emerge in the clinic (Fig. 1).
This work supports three main concepts:
1) It emphasizes the invaluable contribution of molecular analyses on tumor specimens at different moments of disease evolution.
2) It illustrates how preclinical studies can provide therapeutic decisions guidance.
3) It provides a mutational model which would generate significant clinical benefits and avoid worthless treatments when novel ROS1 resistance mutations appear.
Friboulet Luc
INSERM U981, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Sud, Villejuif, France
Publication
Crizotinib-Resistant ROS1 Mutations Reveal a Predictive Kinase Inhibitor Sensitivity Model for ROS1- and ALK-Rearranged Lung Cancers.
Facchinetti F, Loriot Y, Kuo MS, Mahjoubi L, Lacroix L, Planchard D, Besse B, Farace F, Auger N, Remon J, Scoazec JY, André F, Soria JC, Friboulet L
Clin Cancer Res. 2016 Dec 15
Related Articles:
 | Arming macrophages to stop cancer progression Macrophages are a type of immune cells that fight infection and support tissue remodeling. They are best known as phagocytes which engulf bacteria and damaged cells stimulating other immune cells.… |
 | Exercise inhibits cancer: the mechanosensitive state… Surprisingly, researchers find that tumor cells are sensitive to mechanical stresses. This may provide new ways to treat cancers without the severe side-effects of many therapies. Because mechanosensitivity of cancer… |
 | Defects in mismatch repair increase cancer risk and… Microsatellites are formed by 1-6 nucleotide base pairs that are repeated in direct order 5-50 times. Repetitive DNA including microsatellites are mainly present in non-coding DNA regions that occupy more… |
 | Rabbits with mammary carcinomas as a model for… Within a breeding colony of rabbits, the American pathologist Harry Greene (1904-1969) observed that mammary carcinomas were restricted to certain families. This is suggestive of a familiar predisposition as it… |
 | How PET ameliorates 90-Yttrium therapy in inoperable… Increased synthesis of blood vessels and blood supply are essential characteristics of a tumor to secure nutrient delivery and growth. One of the treatment options for inoperable liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma,… |
 | Low phosphate after modern intravenous iron?… Iron is an essential substance with a number of roles in the body. Anaemia caused by low iron (iron deficiency anaemia) can worsen disease outcomes and reduce the quality of… |
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.