Versiti - Strategies to Target BCR-ABL1 Compound Mutants in CML and Ph+ALL | Michael Deininger Laboratory | Versiti Blood Research Institute

Strategies to Target BCR-ABL1 Compound Mutants

Strategies to Target BCR-ABL1 Compound Mutants in CML and Ph+ALL

Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) leukemia is caused by BCR-ABL1, a constitutively active fusion kinase. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting the ATP site of BCR-ABL1 are effective in treating chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML) yet minimally effective at treating blast-phase CML and Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In the 20 years since the approval of the first TKI in all of medicine, imatinib, TKIs have dramatically improved survival of patients with CP-CML, resulting in a projected increase of CML prevalence from 70,000 Americans in 2010 to 180,000 in 2050.

Illustration of Mechanism of Action of BCR-ABL and of Its Inhibation by Imatinib.Mechanism of Action of BCR-ABL and of Its Inhibation by Imatinib.
Illustration of Polyclonal versus compound mutations in a subset of patients who develop clinical resistance to ABL1 TKIs.Polyclonal versus compound mutations in a subset of patients who develop clinical resistance to ABL1 TKIs.

Despite this progress, TKI-resistant CML remains a challenge, with >1,000 deaths annually in the U.S. At least 50% of TKI treatment failure arises through mutations in BCR-ABL1. Laboratory studies on the five FDA-approved BCR-ABL1 TKIs have established their mutational profiles against the >30 mutations observed in patients. In aggregate, these TKIs cover the clinical spectrum of BCR-ABL1 single point mutants. Ponatinib is the only TKI that is clinically effective against the T315I gatekeeper mutant. However, BCR-ABL1 compound mutants, defined as 2 mutations in the same BCR-ABL1 allele, that include T315I with any second mutation are resistant to all approved TKIs, including ponatinib, leaving these patients with no further treatment options.

Combined Treatment with Asciminib and Ponatinib In Vivo IllustrationCombined Treatment with Asciminib and Ponatinib In Vivo Prolongs Survival and Inhibits T315I-Inclusive Compound Mutant Tumor Growth in a Xenograft Mouse Model

Asciminib is the first inhibitor in clinical development that binds the BCR-ABL1 myristoyl site, an allosteric site distant from the ATP site, to enforce an autoinhibited, inactive conformation. We established that asciminib, like ponatinib, is not effective against T315Iinclusive compound mutants, yet combining ponatinib (but not nilotinib or dasatinib) with asciminib is extremely effective at inhibiting many T315I-inclusive compound mutant forms of BCR-ABL1. This discovery provides the basis for a novel therapeutic strategy to address an entirely unmetmedical need and is the foundation of this proposal.

FDA approves asciminib for Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia

In Aim 1, we will use computational, biophysical and crystallographic methods to decipher how ponatinib re-sensitizes compound mutant BCR-ABL1 to asciminib. We will test the combination in relevant mouse models and in primary leukemia samples.

In Aim 2 A, we will develop a therapeutic strategy for clinically resistant BCR-ABL1 compound mutants that are not inhibited by the combination of ponatinib with asciminib. Instead, we will target these mutants for proteasomal degradation using an asciminib proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) strategy. Unlike TKIs, PROTACs are effective even upon transient or weak binding. We will test the hypothesis that ponatinib-induced stabilization of the myristoyl site is the initiating event that allows subsequent binding of an asciminib-PROTAC and proteasomal degradation of compoundmutant BCR-ABL1.

In Aim 2 B, we will develop a ponatinib-PROTAC strategy for compound mutants carrying a myristoyl site resistance mutation. Our work will provide a rationale for clinical evaluation of ponatinib combined with asciminib as a therapy for currently untreatable BCR-ABL1 compound mutant leukemia. Compound mutations are also a major cause of resistance in acute myeloid leukemia, melanoma, and lung cancer, and our study will provide a blueprint for treating thesemalignancies.

Deininger Laboratory Research Projects

Strategies to Target BCR-ABL1 Compound Mutants

Strategies to target BCR-ABL1 compound mutants in CML and Ph+ ALL

Targeting the Metabolic Regulator SIRT5 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Targeting the Metabolic Regulator SIRT5 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

A Bioluminescent Assay for Direct Measurement of Sirtuin Activity in Cancer Cells

A Bioluminescent Assay for Direct Measurement of Sirtuin Activity in Cancer Cells

The Function of MS4A3 in Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis

Function of MS4A3

 
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Versiti Blood Research Institute
Versiti Blood Research Institute investigators study blood disorders like hemophilia, blood cancers like leukemia, and other blood diseases.