Combined inhibition of KAT6A/B and Menin reverses estrogen receptor-driven gene expression programs in breast cancer

Abstract

KAT6A is a histone acetyltransferase that is emerging as a therapeutic target in cancer, including estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. Here, we perform CRISPR screens to identify the chromatin adaptor Menin as a regulator of KAT6A/B inhibitor response. Co-treatment with KAT6A/B and Menin inhibitors has synergistic anti-proliferative effects in ER+, but not ER-, breast cancer lines. Our data reveal that KAT6A and Menin-KMT2A cooperatively regulate ER-driven gene expression via direct effects on ESR1 expression and co-localization at ER target genes. Combined KAT6A/B and Menin inhibition displaces KAT6A and Menin-KMT2A from promoters of ER-driven genes leading to selective RNA polymerase II chromatin loss at these loci. Importantly, combined KAT6A/B and Menin inhibition is effective in ER+ patient-derived xenograft models and in multiple models of endocrine resistance. KAT6A/B and Menin inhibitors are currently in clinical trials and have shown manageable toxicity profiles, underscoring the potential therapeutic relevance for ER+ breast cancer.

Keywords: ER; KAT6A; Menin; breast cancer; chromatin; estrogen receptor.