The high frequency of activating RAS or BRAF mutations in cancer provides strong rationale for targeting the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Selective BRAF and MAP-ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitors have shown clinical effi cacy in patients with melanoma. However, the majority of responses are transient, and resistance is often associated with pathway reactivation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. Here, we describe the identifi cation and characterization of SCH772984, a novel and selective inhibitor of ERK1/2 that displays behaviors of both type I and type II kinase inhibitors. SCH772984 has nanomolar cellular potency in tumor cells with mutations in BRAF , NRAS , or KRAS and induces tumor regressions in xenograft models at tolerated doses. Importantly, SCH772984 effectively inhibited MAPK signaling and cell proliferation in BRAF or MEK inhibitor-resistant models as well as in tumor cells resistant to concurrent treatment with BRAF and MEK inhibitors. These data support the clinical development of ERK inhibitors for tumors refractory to MAPK inhibitors. SIGNIFICANCE: BRAF and MEK inhibitors have activity in MAPK-dependent cancers with BRAF or RAS mutations. However, resistance is associated with pathway alterations resulting in phospho-ERK reactivation. Here, we describe a novel ERK1/2 kinase inhibitor that has antitumor activity in MAPK inhibitor-naïve and MAPK inhibitor-resistant cells containing BRAF or RAS mutations. Cancer Discov; 3(7); 742-50.

Pharmacological activation of the STING (stimulator of interferon genes)–controlled innate immune pathway is a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer. Here we report the identification of MSA-2, an orally available non-nucleotide human STING agonist. In syngeneic mouse tumor models, subcutaneous and oral MSA-2 regimens were well tolerated and stimulated interferon-β secretion in tumors, induced tumor regression with durable antitumor immunity, and synergized with anti–PD-1 therapy. Experimental and theoretical analyses showed that MSA-2 exists as interconverting monomers and dimers in solution, but only dimers bind and activate STING. This model was validated by using synthetic covalent MSA-2 dimers, which were potent agonists. Cellular potency of MSA-2 increased upon extracellular acidification, which mimics the tumor microenvironment. These properties appear to underpin the favorable activity and tolerability profiles of effective systemic administration of MSA-2.

SUMMARY Induction of compensatory mechanisms and ERK reactivation has limited the effectiveness of Raf and MEK inhibitors in RAS-mutant cancers. We determined that direct pharmacologic inhibition of ERK suppressed the growth of a subset of KRAS-mutant pancreatic cancer cell lines and that concurrent PI3K inhibition caused synergistic cell death. Additional combinations that enhanced ERK inhibitor action were also identified. Unexpectedly, long-term treatment of sensitive cell lines caused senescence, mediated in part by MYC degradation and p16 reactivation. Enhanced basal PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling was associated with de novo resistance to ERK inhibitor, as were other protein kinases identified by kinome-wide siRNA screening and a genetic gain-of-function screen. Our findings reveal distinct consequences of inhibiting this kinase cascade at the level of ERK.

Ovariectomized mice bearing tumor xenografts grown from aromatase-transfected estrogen receptor (ER)-positive human breast cancer cells (MCF-7Ca) were injected s.c. with 10 Mg/d letrozole for up to 56 weeks. Western blot analysis of the tumors revealed that ERs (ERA) were increased at 4 weeks but decreased at weeks 28 and 56. Expression of erbB-2 and p-Shc increased throughout treatment, whereas growth factor receptor binding protein 2 (Grb2) increased only in tumors proliferating on letrozole (weeks 28 and 56). In cells isolated from tumors after 56 weeks and maintained as a cell line (LTLT-Ca) in 1 Mmol/L letrozole, ERA was also decreased whereas erbB-2, adapter proteins (p-Shc and Grb2), and the signaling proteins in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade were increased compared with MCF-7Ca cells. Growth was inhibited in LTLT-Ca cells but not in MCF7Ca cells treated with MAPK kinase 1/2 inhibitors U0126, and PD98059 (IC 50 f25 Mmol/L). PD98059 (5 Mmol/L) also reduced MAPK activity and increased ERA to the levels in MCF-7Ca cells. Epidermal growth factor receptor kinase inhibitor, gefitinib (ZD1839) inhibited growth of LTLT-Ca cells (IC 50 f10 Mmol/L) and restored their sensitivity to tamoxifen and anastrozole. In xenografts, combined treatment with ER down-regulator fulvestrant and letrozole, prevented increases in erbB-2 and activation of MAPK and was highly effective in inhibiting tumor growth throughout 29 weeks of treatment. These results indicate that blocking both ER-and growth factor-mediated transcription resulted in the most effective inhibition of growth of ER-positive breast cancer cells. (Cancer Res 2005; 65(12): 5380-9)

Inhibition of the DNA damage checkpoint kinase WEE1 potentiates genotoxic chemotherapies by abrogating cell-cycle arrest and proper DNA repair. However, WEE1 is also essential for unperturbed cell division in the absence of extrinsic insult. Here, we investigate the anticancer potential of a WEE1 inhibitor, independent of chemotherapy, and explore a possible cellular context underlying sensitivity to WEE1 inhibition. We show that MK-1775, a potent and selective ATP-competitive inhibitor of WEE1, is cytotoxic across a broad panel of tumor cell lines and induces DNA double-strand breaks. MK-1775-induced DNA damage occurs without added chemotherapy or radiation in S-phase cells and relies on active DNA replication. At tolerated doses, MK-1775 treatment leads to xenograft tumor growth inhibition or regression. To begin addressing potential response markers for MK-1775 monotherapy, we focused on PKMYT1, a kinase functionally related to WEE1. Knockdown of PKMYT1 lowers the EC 50 of MK-1775 by five-fold but has no effect on the cell-based response to other cytotoxic drugs. In addition, knockdown of PKMYT1 increases markers of DNA damage, gH2AX and pCHK1 S345 , induced by MK-1775. In a post hoc analysis of 305 cell lines treated with MK-1775, we found that expression of PKMYT1 was below average in 73% of the 33 most sensitive cell lines. Our findings provide rationale for WEE1 inhibition as a potent anticancer therapy independent of a genotoxic partner and suggest that low PKMYT1 expression could serve as an enrichment biomarker for MK-1775 sensitivity.