Inhibition of ULK1/2 and KRAS^G12Ccontrols tumor growth in preclinical models of lung cancer

Abstract

Mutational activation ofKRASoccurs commonly in lung carcinogenesis and, with the recent FDA approval of covalent inhibitors of KRASG12Csuch as sotorasib or adagrasib, KRAS oncoproteins are important pharmacological targets in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, not all KRASG12C-driven NSCLCs respond to these inhibitors, and the emergence of drug resistance in those patients that do respond can be rapid and pleiotropic. Hence, based on a backbone of covalent inhibition of KRASG12C, efforts are underway to develop effective combination therapies. Here we report that inhibition of KRASG12Csignaling increases autophagy in KRASG12Cexpressing lung cancer cells. Moreover, the combination of DCC-3116, a selective ULK1/2 inhibitor, plus sotorasib displays cooperative/synergistic suppression of human KRASG12C-driven lung cancer cell proliferationin vitroand superior tumor controlin vivo. Additionally, in genetically engineered mouse models of KRASG12C-driven NSCLC, inhibition of either KRASG12Cor ULK1/2 decreases tumor burden and increases mouse survival. Consequently, these data suggest that ULK1/2-mediated autophagy is a pharmacologically actionable cytoprotective stress response to inhibition of KRASG12Cin lung cancer.