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Kofink C, Trainor N, Mair B, Wöhrle S, Wurm M, Mischerikow N, Roy MJ, Bader G, Greb P, Garavel G, Diers E, McLennan R, Whitworth C, Vetma V, Rumpel K, Scharnweber M, Fuchs JE, Gerstberger T, Cui Y, Gremel G, Chetta P, Hopf S, Budano N, Rinnenthal J, Gmaschitz G, Mayer M, Koegl M, Ciulli A, Weinstabl H, Farnaby W. A selective and orally bioavailable VHL-recruiting PROTAC achieves SMARCA2 degradation in vivo. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5969. [PMID: 36216795 PMCID: PMC9551036 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33430-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation offers an alternative modality to classical inhibition and holds the promise of addressing previously undruggable targets to provide novel therapeutic options for patients. Heterobifunctional molecules co-recruit a target protein and an E3 ligase, resulting in ubiquitylation and proteosome-dependent degradation of the target. In the clinic, the oral route of administration is the option of choice but has only been achieved so far by CRBN- recruiting bifunctional degrader molecules. We aimed to achieve orally bioavailable molecules that selectively degrade the BAF Chromatin Remodelling complex ATPase SMARCA2 over its closely related paralogue SMARCA4, to allow in vivo evaluation of the synthetic lethality concept of SMARCA2 dependency in SMARCA4-deficient cancers. Here we outline structure- and property-guided approaches that led to orally bioavailable VHL-recruiting degraders. Our tool compound, ACBI2, shows selective degradation of SMARCA2 over SMARCA4 in ex vivo human whole blood assays and in vivo efficacy in SMARCA4-deficient cancer models. This study demonstrates the feasibility for broadening the E3 ligase and physicochemical space that can be utilised for achieving oral efficacy with bifunctional molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole Trainor
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- ACRF Chemical Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Barbara Mair
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simon Wöhrle
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Melanie Wurm
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Michael J Roy
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- ACRF Chemical Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Gerd Bader
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Greb
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Emelyne Diers
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Ross McLennan
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Claire Whitworth
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Vesna Vetma
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Klaus Rumpel
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | | | - Yunhai Cui
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach, Germany
| | | | - Paolo Chetta
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Hopf
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicole Budano
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Moriz Mayer
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Manfred Koegl
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alessio Ciulli
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | - William Farnaby
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
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Vetma V, Guttà C, Peters N, Praetorius C, Hutt M, Seifert O, Meier F, Kontermann R, Kulms D, Rehm M. Convergence of pathway analysis and pattern recognition predicts sensitization to latest generation TRAIL therapeutics by IAP antagonism. Cell Death Differ 2020; 27:2417-2432. [PMID: 32081986 PMCID: PMC7370234 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-020-0512-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Second generation TRAIL-based therapeutics, combined with sensitising co-treatments, have recently entered clinical trials. However, reliable response predictors for optimal patient selection are not yet available. Here, we demonstrate that a novel and translationally relevant hexavalent TRAIL receptor agonist, IZI1551, in combination with Birinapant, a clinically tested IAP antagonist, efficiently induces cell death in various melanoma models, and that responsiveness can be predicted by combining pathway analysis, data-driven modelling and pattern recognition. Across a panel of 16 melanoma cell lines, responsiveness to IZI1551/Birinapant was heterogeneous, with complete resistance and pronounced synergies observed. Expression patterns of TRAIL pathway regulators allowed us to develop a combinatorial marker that predicts potent cell killing with high accuracy. IZI1551/Birinapant responsiveness could be predicted not only for cell lines, but also for 3D tumour cell spheroids and for cells directly isolated from patient melanoma metastases (80–100% prediction accuracies). Mathematical parameter reduction identified 11 proteins crucial to ensure prediction accuracy, with x-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) and procaspase-3 scoring highest, and Bcl-2 family members strongly represented. Applied to expression data of a cohort of n = 365 metastatic melanoma patients in a proof of concept in silico trial, the predictor suggested that IZI1551/Birinapant responsiveness could be expected for up to 30% of patient tumours. Overall, response frequencies in melanoma models were very encouraging, and the capability to predict melanoma sensitivity to combinations of latest generation TRAIL-based therapeutics and IAP antagonists can address the need for patient selection strategies in clinical trials based on these novel drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vesna Vetma
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.,Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Cristiano Guttà
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Nathalie Peters
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Christian Praetorius
- Center for Regenerative Therapies, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Skin Cancer Center at the University Cancer Centre, Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Meike Hutt
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Oliver Seifert
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Friedegund Meier
- Skin Cancer Center at the University Cancer Centre, Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roland Kontermann
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.,Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Dagmar Kulms
- Center for Regenerative Therapies, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Skin Cancer Center at the University Cancer Centre, Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Markus Rehm
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany. .,Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland. .,Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany. .,Stuttgart Centre for Simulation Science (SC SimTech), University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany. .,Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
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Rod E, Matić I, Antunović M, Vetma V, Pavičić I, Hudetz D, Marijanović I, Primorac D, Ivković A. Optimization of an ex vivo gene transfer to the hamstrings tendons muscle remnants: potential for genetic enhancement of bone healing. Croat Med J 2019. [PMID: 31187947 PMCID: PMC6563169 DOI: 10.3325/cmj.2019.60.201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim To assess whether an adenoviral vector carrying the bone morphogenetic protein genes (Ad.BMP-2) can transduce human muscle tissue and direct it toward osteogenic differentiation within one hour. Methods This in vitro study, performed at the Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Zagreb from 2012 to 2017, used human muscle tissue samples collected during anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions performed in St Catherine Hospital, Zabok. Samples from 28 patients were transduced with adenoviral vector carrying firefly luciferase cDNA (Ad.luc) by using different doses and times of transduction, and with addition of positive ions for transduction enhancement. The optimized protocol was further tested on muscle samples from three new patients, which were transduced with Ad.BMP-2. Released bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) levels in osteogenic medium were measured every three days during a period of 21 days. Expression of osteogenic markers was measured at day 14 and 21. After 21 days of cultivation, muscle tissue was immunohistochemically stained for collagen type I detection (COL-I). Results The new transduction protocol was established using 108 plaque-forming units (P < 0.001) as an optimal dose of adenoviral vector and 30 minutes (P < 0.001) as an optimal contact time. Positive ions did not enhance transduction. Samples transduced with Ad.BMP-2 according to the optimized protocol showed enhanced expression of osteogenic markers (P < 0.050), BMP-2 (P < 0.001), and COL I. Conclusion This study confirms that Ad.BMP-2 can transduce human muscle tissue and direct it toward osteogenic differentiation within 30 minutes.
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Rožanc J, Sakellaropoulos T, Antoranz A, Guttà C, Podder B, Vetma V, Rufo N, Agostinis P, Pliaka V, Sauter T, Kulms D, Rehm M, Alexopoulos LG. Phosphoprotein patterns predict trametinib responsiveness and optimal trametinib sensitisation strategies in melanoma. Cell Death Differ 2018; 26:1365-1378. [PMID: 30323272 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-018-0210-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 08/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is a highly aggressive form of skin cancer responsible for the majority of skin cancer-related deaths. Recent insight into the heterogeneous nature of melanoma suggests more personalised treatments may be necessary to overcome drug resistance and improve patient care. To this end, reliable molecular signatures that can accurately predict treatment responsiveness need to be identified. In this study, we applied multiplex phosphoproteomic profiling across a panel of 24 melanoma cell lines with different disease-relevant mutations, to predict responsiveness to MEK inhibitor trametinib. Supported by multivariate statistical analysis and multidimensional pattern recognition algorithms, the responsiveness of individual cell lines to trametinib could be predicted with high accuracy (83% correct predictions), independent of mutation status. We also successfully employed this approach to case specifically predict whether individual melanoma cell lines could be sensitised to trametinib. Our predictions identified that combining MEK inhibition with selective targeting of c-JUN and/or FAK, using siRNA-based depletion or pharmacological inhibitors, sensitised resistant cell lines and significantly enhanced treatment efficacy. Our study indicates that multiplex proteomic analyses coupled with pattern recognition approaches could assist in personalising trametinib-based treatment decisions in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Rožanc
- Life Sciences Research Unit, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg.,ProtATonce Ltd, Science Park Demokritos, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Asier Antoranz
- ProtATonce Ltd, Science Park Demokritos, Athens, Greece.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Cristiano Guttà
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Biswajit Podder
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Vesna Vetma
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Nicole Rufo
- Laboratory for Cell Death Research and Therapy, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrizia Agostinis
- Laboratory for Cell Death Research and Therapy, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Vaia Pliaka
- ProtATonce Ltd, Science Park Demokritos, Athens, Greece
| | - Thomas Sauter
- Life Sciences Research Unit, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Dagmar Kulms
- Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Center for Regenerative Therapies, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Markus Rehm
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.,Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.,Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Leonidas G Alexopoulos
- ProtATonce Ltd, Science Park Demokritos, Athens, Greece. .,Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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Vetma V, Rožanc J, Charles EM, Hellwig CT, Alexopoulos LG, Rehm M. Examining the In Vitro Efficacy of the IAP Antagonist Birinapant as a Single Agent or in Combination With Dacarbazine to Induce Melanoma Cell Death. Oncol Res 2017; 25:1489-1494. [PMID: 28337955 PMCID: PMC7841063 DOI: 10.3727/096504017x14897145996933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Antagonists of inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), alone or in combination with genotoxic therapeutics, have been shown to efficiently induce cell death in various solid tumors. The IAP antagonist birinapant is currently being tested in phase II clinical trials. We herein aimed to investigate the antitumor efficacy of dacarbazine in vitro, both as a single agent and in combination with birinapant, in melanoma cell lines. Covering clinically relevant drug concentration ranges, we conducted a total of 5,400 measurements in a panel of 12 human melanoma cell lines representing different stages of disease progression. Surprisingly, functionally relevant synergies or response potentiation in combination treatments was not observed, and only one cell line modestly responded to birinapant single treatment (approximately 16% cell death). Although we did not study the underlying resistance mechanisms or more complex in vivo scenarios in which dacarbazine/birinapant response synergies may still possibly manifest, our findings are nevertheless noteworthy because IAP antagonists were demonstrated to strongly enhance responses to DNA-damaging agents in cell lines of other cancer types under comparable experimental conditions in vitro.
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