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Rzymski T, Mikula M, Żyłkiewicz E, Dreas A, Wiklik K, Gołas A, Wójcik K, Masiejczyk M, Wróbel A, Dolata I, Kitlińska A, Statkiewicz M, Kuklinska U, Goryca K, Sapała Ł, Grochowska A, Cabaj A, Szajewska-Skuta M, Gabor-Worwa E, Kucwaj K, Białas A, Radzimierski A, Combik M, Woyciechowski J, Mikulski M, Windak R, Ostrowski J, Brzózka K. SEL120-34A is a novel CDK8 inhibitor active in AML cells with high levels of serine phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT5 transactivation domains. Oncotarget 2018; 8:33779-33795. [PMID: 28422713 PMCID: PMC5464911 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of oncogenic transcriptional programs is a promising therapeutic strategy. A substituted tricyclic benzimidazole, SEL120-34A, is a novel inhibitor of Cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8), which regulates transcription by associating with the Mediator complex. X-ray crystallography has shown SEL120-34A to be a type I inhibitor forming halogen bonds with the protein's hinge region and hydrophobic complementarities within its front pocket. SEL120-34A inhibits phosphorylation of STAT1 S727 and STAT5 S726 in cancer cells in vitro. Consistently, regulation of STATs- and NUP98-HOXA9- dependent transcription has been observed as a dominant mechanism of action in vivo. Treatment with the compound resulted in a differential efficacy on AML cells with elevated STAT5 S726 levels and stem cell characteristics. In contrast, resistant cells were negative for activated STAT5 and revealed lineage commitment. In vivo efficacy in xenotransplanted AML models correlated with significant repression of STAT5 S726. Favorable pharmacokinetics, confirmed safety and in vivo efficacy provide a rationale for the further clinical development of SEL120-34A as a personalized therapeutic approach in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michał Mikula
- Department of Genetics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Anna Wróbel
- R&D Department, Selvita S.A., Kraków, Poland
| | | | | | | | - Urszula Kuklinska
- Department of Genetics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Goryca
- Department of Genetics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Aleksandra Grochowska
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Clinical Oncology, Medical Center for Postgraduate Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Cabaj
- Department of Genetics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center, Warsaw, Poland.,Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jerzy Ostrowski
- Department of Genetics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center, Warsaw, Poland.,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Clinical Oncology, Medical Center for Postgraduate Education, Warsaw, Poland
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Rzymski T, Mikula M, Zylkiewicz E, Dreas A, Wiklik K, Golas A, Wojcik K, Masiejczyk M, Dudzicz I, Kucwaj K, Statkiewicz M, Goryca K, Grochowska A, Cabaj A, Ostrowski J, Kukliniska U, Brzozka K. Abstract 2174: Inhibition of CDK8 kinase with SEL120-34A allows for a personalized approach in AML. Cancer Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2017-2174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Inhibition of oncogenic transcriptional programs is recognized to be a promising therapeutic strategy. SEL120-34A is a novel inhibitor of Cyclin- dependent kinase 8 (CDK8), which regulates transcription by associating with the Mediator complex. SEL120-34A interacts with the ATP binding site of CDK8 in type I inhibitor fashion and forms several types of interactions, including halogen bonds with the protein’s hinge region and hydrophobic complementarities within its front pocket. Although the compound was only modestly active in solid tumor cell lines, it repressed phosphorylation of STAT5 Ser726 and could differentially inhibit viability of AML and ALL cell lines in vitro and in vivo, along with other type I CDK8 inhibitors. Transcriptomic analysis identified major transcriptional programs altered in responder cell lines, which strongly indicated that apart from repression of survival pathways, CDK8 inhibitors could induce differentiation in cell lines with leukemia stem cells characteristics. Further studies on a large panels of responder and non-responder cell lines identified robust biomarkers which could be used with high confidence for stratification and personalized approach in CDK8-dependent AML cases. Favorable pharmacokinetics, confirmed safety and in vivo efficacy in leukemia models provide the rationale for further clinical development of SEL120-34A.
Citation Format: Tomasz Rzymski, Michal Mikula, Eliza Zylkiewicz, Agnieszka Dreas, Katarzyna Wiklik, Aniela Golas, Katarzyna Wojcik, Magdalena Masiejczyk, Iga Dudzicz, Katarzyna Kucwaj, Malgorzata Statkiewicz, Krzysztof Goryca, Aleksandra Grochowska, Aleksandra Cabaj, Jerzy Ostrowski, Urszula Kukliniska, Krzysztof Brzozka. Inhibition of CDK8 kinase with SEL120-34A allows for a personalized approach in AML [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2174. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-2174
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michal Mikula
- 2Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jerzy Ostrowski
- 2Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center, Warsaw, Poland
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Rzymski T, Mikula M, Szajewska-Skuta M, Zyłkiewicz E, Sapała Ł, Dolata I, Kitlińska A, Goryca K, Grochowska A, Cabaj A, Dreas A, Kucwaj K, Białas A, Radzimierski A, Gołas A, Windak R, Ostrowski J, Brzózka K. Abstract 1663: Selective CDK8 inhibitor SEL120-34A alters expression of interferon-related DNA damage resistance signature genes in colorectal cancer. Cancer Res 2015. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2015-1663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
CDK8 (cyclin-dependent kinase 8) is a kinase component of a multi - protein Mediator complex, involved in transcription control. Several studies indicated that high overexpression and activity of CDK8 could be a driver of malignant progression in colorectal cancer (CRC). Herewith we present molecular insights into mechanism of action of SEL120-34A - a selective small molecule inhibitor of CDK8 kinase. Biochemical and binding studies indicated that SEL120-34A selectively binds and inhibits enzymatic activity of CDK8 in the low nM range. Recently CDK8 has been described as a regulator of STAT1 activity in NK cells where by phosphorylating STAT1 serine 727 (Ser727) influences a possible immunoescape mechanism in various cancers. Consistently, SEL120-34A and other recently reported selective CDK8 inhibitors could repress phosphorylation of STAT1 at a Ser727 at low nM concentrations in cancer cells without any significant changes on tyrosine sites directly regulated by JAK kinases. SEL120-34A inhibited expression of several STAT1 dependent genes in CRC cell lines, stimulated by various cytokines and growth factors. These results were further corroborated with specific CDK8 siRNA knockdown experiments and chromatin immunoprecipitation studies showing CDK8 occupancy on promoters of SEL120-34A regulated genes. In order to better characterize in vivo mechanism of action, mice bearing HCT116 and Colo205 xenograft tumors were treated with SEL120-34A and gene expression changes were measured with microarrays in excised tumors. In animals treated with the CDK8 inhibitor a dose dependent repression of STAT1 Ser727 was observed. The functional analyses of significantly (adj. p. value < 0.05) altered genes with Gene Ontology revealed that those with reduced expression belong to interferon I pathway and type I interferon-mediated signaling pathway terms. This subset of STAT regulated genes was further characterized as an interferon-related DNA damage resistance signature (IRDS) - a prosurvival pathway which correlated strongly with resistance to radiation and chemotherapy in various tumors. Consistently, SEL120-34A has shown very potent cytotoxic synergy with standard of care drugs in CRC, particularly in cells stimulated with interferons. Taken together, for the first time we have shown that selective CDK8 inhibitors are potent regulators of STAT related - IRDS signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo. In addition to previously reported stand-alone efficacy of CDK8 inhibitors in vivo, we provide also a combination treatment rationale for CRC.
Citation Format: Tomasz Rzymski, Michał Mikula, Małgorzata Szajewska-Skuta, Eliza Zyłkiewicz, Łukasz Sapała, Izabela Dolata, Agata Kitlińska, Krzysztof Goryca, Aleksandra Grochowska, Aleksandra Cabaj, Agnieszka Dreas, Katarzyna Kucwaj, Artur Białas, Adam Radzimierski, Aniela Gołas, Renata Windak, Jerzy Ostrowski, Krzysztof Brzózka. Selective CDK8 inhibitor SEL120-34A alters expression of interferon-related DNA damage resistance signature genes in colorectal cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 1663. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-1663
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michał Mikula
- 2Department of Genetics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Krzysztof Goryca
- 2Department of Genetics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Grochowska
- 2Department of Genetics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Cabaj
- 2Department of Genetics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jerzy Ostrowski
- 2Department of Genetics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center, Warsaw, Poland
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Rzymski T, Dreas A, Milik M, Kucwaj K, Zarebski A, Skuta MS, Cierpich A, Fabritius C, Brzozka K. Abstract A49: Repression of tumor survival pathways by novel, selective inhibitors of MNK1 and MNK2 kinases. Cancer Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.fbcr13-a49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
MNK1 and MNK2 are MAP kinase-interacting kinases involved in regulation of translation. Both kinases phosphorylate translation initiation factor eIF4E on a conserved serine 209. eIF4E can contribute to the oncogenic transformation both in vitro and in vivo and is highly expressed in diverse types of cancer. Interestingly, mice that lack both MNK1 and MNK2 do not have any apparent phenotype and therefore represent interesting possibility to develop targeted and safe anticancer therapies.
Herewith, we report the development of first selective small molecule inhibitors of MNK1 and MNK2 kinases and their in vitro cellular activity. Selvita developed a series of small molecule type I, ATP-competitive inhibitors targeting both MNK1 and MNK2 with mid nM activity range. Selected compounds were tested on a panel of 456 kinases and showed very high selectivity. Additionally, in cellular models such as serum stimulated SW480 cells, synthesized MNK1/2 inhibitors caused dose dependent inhibition of phosphorylation of eIF4e at Ser209 in line with the kinase activity profile. The observed cellular activity on biomarker inhibition was more potent than observed for reported in the literature MNK1/2 inhibitors such as cercosporamide and CGP57380. High activity of MNK1/2 inhibitors on in vitro biomarkers correlated with efficacy on cancer cells challenged with various stress conditions, typical for tumor microenvironment. These initial findings confirm that selective inhibition of MNK1/2 may repress major tumor survival pathways induced under stress and support further development of this class of compounds as a novel anticancer therapy with a promising therapeutic window.
Citation Format: Tomasz Rzymski, Agnieszka Dreas, Mariusz Milik, Katarzyna Kucwaj, Adrian Zarebski, Malgorzata Szajewska Skuta, Anna Cierpich, Charles Fabritius, Krzysztof Brzozka. Repression of tumor survival pathways by novel, selective inhibitors of MNK1 and MNK2 kinases. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Third AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; Sep 18-22, 2013; National Harbor, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(19 Suppl):Abstract nr A49.
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Rzymski T, Zarebski A, Windak R, Krawczynska K, Trebacz E, Dreas A, Kucwaj K, Osowska K, Cholody M, Szczepanska P, Woyciechowski J, Obuchowicz R, Salwińska M, Fogt J, Zurawska M, Białas A, Wiklik K, Milik M, Sanzone A, Radzimierski A, Brzózka K. Abstract 696: Development of selective CDK8 inhibitors for colorectal cancer and mantle cell lymphoma treatment. Cancer Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2013-696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
CDK8 is a kinase component of the mediator complex which functions as a bridge between a basal transcriptional machinery and specific transcription factors. CDK8 is amplified and differentially expressed in colorectal cancer and in certain hematological malignancies such as mantle cell lymphomas. Cells that express elevated CDK8 levels are highly dependent on its expression for proliferation. Here we report development of first-in-class selective inhibitors CDK8. Compounds from the SEL120 series have binding affinities towards CDK8 in the low nM range. Results from the kinome panel indicated that selectivity of SEL120 compounds was comparable with some of the most selective clinical kinase inhibitors. SEL120 compounds reduced viability of mantle cell lymphoma and colorectal cancer cell lines, with particularly good activity in cell lines overexpressing CDK8 and with G13D mutation in KRAS. Slightly lower sensitivity was observed for cells with mutated P53 and other mutations in KRAS/BRAF pathway. In contrast to pan-CDK inhibitors with main target activity on CDK9, treatment with SEL120 compounds did not repress phosphorylation of PolII and did not cause global transcriptional shutdown. Selective inhibition of CDK8 was sufficient to inhibit both paracrine and autocrine activities of cancer cells and stimulated normal cells. Production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL6 was repressed by SEL120 compounds in normal and cancer cells stimulated by sub-optimal doses of chemotherapeutics. SEL120 also reduced both murine and human IL6 in blood of mice bearing human xenograft models. Oral administration of SEL120 revealed favorable pharmacokinetics profile and strong, dose dependent potency in colon cancer mouse xenograft models. Presented data validate inhibition of CDK8 as a promising strategy for anticancer treatment, particularly for CRC and mantle cell lymphomas resistant to current treatments.
Citation Format: Tomasz Rzymski, Adrian Zarebski, Renata Windak, Karolina Krawczynska, Ewa Trebacz, Agnieszka Dreas, Katarzyna Kucwaj, Karolina Osowska, Marek Cholody, Paulina Szczepanska, Jakub Woyciechowski, Radosław Obuchowicz, Magdalena Salwińska, Joanna Fogt, Malgorzata Zurawska, Arkadiusz Białas, Katarzyna Wiklik, Mariusz Milik, Angelo Sanzone, Adam Radzimierski, Krzysztof Brzózka. Development of selective CDK8 inhibitors for colorectal cancer and mantle cell lymphoma treatment. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 696. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-696
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