Mutations in the SWI/SNF complex induce a targetable dependence on oxidative phosphorylation in lung cancer

Nat Med. 2018 Jul;24(7):1047-1057. doi: 10.1038/s41591-018-0019-5. Epub 2018 Jun 11.

Abstract

Lung cancer is a devastating disease that remains a top cause of cancer mortality. Despite improvements with targeted and immunotherapies, the majority of patients with lung cancer lack effective therapies, underscoring the need for additional treatment approaches. Genomic studies have identified frequent alterations in components of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex including SMARCA4 and ARID1A. To understand the mechanisms of tumorigenesis driven by mutations in this complex, we developed a genetically engineered mouse model of lung adenocarcinoma by ablating Smarca4 in the lung epithelium. We demonstrate that Smarca4 acts as a bona fide tumor suppressor and cooperates with p53 loss and Kras activation. Gene expression analyses revealed the signature of enhanced oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in SMARCA4 mutant tumors. We further show that SMARCA4 mutant cells have enhanced oxygen consumption and increased respiratory capacity. Importantly, SMARCA4 mutant lung cancer cell lines and xenograft tumors have marked sensitivity to inhibition of OXPHOS by a novel small molecule, IACS-010759, that is under clinical development. Mechanistically, we show that SMARCA4-deficient cells have a blunted transcriptional response to energy stress creating a therapeutically exploitable synthetic lethal interaction. These findings provide the mechanistic basis for further development of OXPHOS inhibitors as therapeutics against SWI/SNF mutant tumors.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biosynthetic Pathways
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Respiration
  • DNA Helicases / deficiency
  • DNA Helicases / genetics*
  • Energy Metabolism
  • Female
  • Genetic Engineering
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Mutation / genetics*
  • Nuclear Proteins / deficiency
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Oxidative Phosphorylation*
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha / metabolism
  • Stress, Physiological / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / deficiency
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Nuclear Proteins
  • PPARGC1A protein, human
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha
  • Transcription Factors
  • SMARCA4 protein, human
  • DNA Helicases