Targeting FOXA1 and FOXA2 disrupts the lineage-specific oncogenic output program in prostate cancer

Abstract

Activation of the androgen receptor (AR) is the key lineage-specific oncogenic pathway and the primary therapeutic target in prostate cancer. While AR signaling is enabled by the pioneer transcription factor FOXA1, its homolog FOXA2 is specifically expressed in advanced lineage-plastic prostate cancers that have lost the AR signaling axis. However, their roles and utility as drug targets remain incompletely characterized. Here, we show an unexpected collaboration of FOXA1 and FOXA2 in mediating AR-independent cell proliferation in different lineage-plastic cancer subtypes. Conversely, joint loss-of-function or pharmacologic disruption of FOXA1 and FOXA2 leads to the collapse of lineage-specific oncogenic transcription factors followed by cell-cycle arrest. In summary, our findings uncover a druggable dependency for AR-positive and -negative prostate cancers.

Keywords: CP: Cancer; FOXA1; FOXA2; androgen receptor independence; androgen receptor signaling; lineage plasticity; pioneer transcription factor; prostate cancer; small molecule inhibitor.