A functional landscape of resistance to ALK inhibition in lung cancer

Cancer Cell. 2015 Mar 9;27(3):397-408. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2015.02.005.

Abstract

We conducted a large-scale functional genetic study to characterize mechanisms of resistance to ALK inhibition in ALK-dependent lung cancer cells. We identify members of known resistance pathways and additional putative resistance drivers. Among the latter were members of the P2Y purinergic receptor family of G-protein-coupled receptors (P2Y1, P2Y2, and P2Y6). P2Y receptors mediated resistance in part through a protein-kinase-C (PKC)-dependent mechanism. Moreover, PKC activation alone was sufficient to confer resistance to ALK inhibitors, whereas combined ALK and PKC inhibition restored sensitivity. We observed enrichment of gene signatures associated with several resistance drivers (including P2Y receptors) in crizotinib-resistant ALK-rearranged lung tumors compared to treatment-naive controls, supporting a role for these identified mechanisms in clinical ALK inhibitor resistance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Crizotinib
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics*
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology*
  • Pyrazoles / therapeutic use
  • Pyridines / pharmacology*
  • Pyridines / therapeutic use
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / genetics
  • Receptors, Purinergic P2Y / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / genetics

Substances

  • Pyrazoles
  • Pyridines
  • Receptors, Purinergic P2Y
  • Crizotinib
  • ALK protein, human
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Receptor, ErbB-2

Associated data

  • dbGaP/PHS000855.V1.P1