Oncogenic TYK2 P760L kinase is effectively targeted by combinatorial TYK2, mTOR and CDK4/6 kinase blockade

Haematologica. 2023 Apr 1;108(4):993-1005. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2021.279848.

Abstract

Tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) is a member of the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway, which is central in cytokine signaling. Previously, germline TYK2 mutations have been described in two patients developing de novo T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (T-ALL) or precursor B-ALL. The mutations (P760L and G761V) are located within the regulatory pseudokinase domain and lead to constitutive activation of TYK2. We demonstrate the transformation capacity of TYK2 P760L in hematopoietic cell systems including primary bone marrow cells. In vivo engraftment of TYK2 P760L-expressing cell lines led to development of leukemia. A kinase inhibitor screen uncovered that oncogenic TYK2 acts synergistically with the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and CDK4/6 pathways. Accordingly, the TYK2-specific inhibitor deucravacitinib (BMS986165) reduces cell viability of TYK2 P760L-transformed cell models and ex vivo cultured TYK2 P760L-mutated patient- derived xenograft cells most efficiently when combined with mTOR or CDK4/6 inhibitors. Our study thereby pioneers novel treatment options for patients suffering from TYK2-driven acute leukemia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4
  • Humans
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma*
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • TYK2 Kinase* / genetics
  • TYK2 Kinase* / metabolism

Substances

  • CDK4 protein, human
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4
  • MTOR protein, human
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • TYK2 Kinase
  • TYK2 protein, human
  • CDK6 protein, human

Grants and funding

Funding: This work was supported by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) funded DK W1212 PhD program “Inflammation and Immunity” and the Special Research Program SFB F6101 and F6106 (BS and MM), F6105 (RM) and F6107 (VS).