FER kinase governs invasive growth of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma through dynamic control of growth factor receptor activity

Abstract

Promiscuous activation of growth factor receptors drives sustained MAP kinase signaling, which reinforces oncogene addiction in HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This feature promotes invasive growth, complicating surgical resection and contributing to high rates of local relapse and poor patient outcomes. Current treatment strategies for locally advanced or non-resectable tumors targeting single growth factor receptors offer limited therapeutic benefit, underscoring the need for alternative targets. Using patient-derived tumor organoid (PDO) models of invasive HNSCC, we demonstrate that FER, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that correlates with poor survival in HNSCC patients, is essential for growth factor receptor dependent invasive growth in Collagen-I extracellular matrix (ECM) networks. In this setting, FER promotes phosphorylation of EGFR-Y1068 and MET-Y1234/5. Additionally, FER controls ligand-dependent endocytic transport velocity, demonstrating a multifactorial regulation of proximal GFR activation during HNSCC invasion. Finally, genetic loss of function experiments or a FER-specific PROteolysis-TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC) strategy in PDO-based xenograft mouse models, demonstrate that FER is essential for invasive growth and metastasis of HNSCC. In sum, we propose that FER is an indiscriminate regulator of proximal GFR activation in HNSCC, a mechanism that may foster oncogene addition, thereby leading to invasive growth and metastasis. Based on its oncogenic roles and correlations with poor patient prognosis, we nominate FER as a potential candidate for targeted clinical intervention of HNSCC.

Keywords: EFGR; FER PROTAC; FER kinase; Growth factor receptors; Head and neck cancer; Inhibition; Invasion; MET; Patient-derived organoids.