Activation of STAT3 through combined SRC and EGFR signaling drives resistance to a mitotic kinesin inhibitor in glioblastoma.

TitleActivation of STAT3 through combined SRC and EGFR signaling drives resistance to a mitotic kinesin inhibitor in glioblastoma.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2022
AuthorsKenchappa RS, Dovas A, Argenziano MG, Meyer CT, Stopfer LE, Banu MA, Pereira B, Griffith J, Mohammad A, Talele S, Haddock A, Zarco N, Elmquist W, White F, Quaranta V, Sims P, Canoll P, Rosenfeld SS
JournalCell Rep
Volume39
Issue12
Pagination110991
Date Published2022 Jun 21
ISSN2211-1247
KeywordsAnimals, Antimitotic Agents, Cell Line, Tumor, ErbB Receptors, Glioblastoma, Kinesins, Mice, Signal Transduction, STAT3 Transcription Factor
Abstract

Inhibitors of the mitotic kinesin Kif11 are anti-mitotics that, unlike vinca alkaloids or taxanes, do not disrupt microtubules and are not neurotoxic. However, development of resistance has limited their clinical utility. While resistance to Kif11 inhibitors in other cell types is due to mechanisms that prevent these drugs from disrupting mitosis, we find that in glioblastoma (GBM), resistance to the Kif11 inhibitor ispinesib works instead through suppression of apoptosis driven by activation of STAT3. This form of resistance requires dual phosphorylation of STAT3 residues Y705 and S727, mediated by SRC and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), respectively. Simultaneously inhibiting SRC and EGFR reverses this resistance, and combined targeting of these two kinases in vivo with clinically available inhibitors is synergistic and significantly prolongs survival in ispinesib-treated GBM-bearing mice. We thus identify a translationally actionable approach to overcoming Kif11 inhibitor resistance that may work to block STAT3-driven resistance against other anti-cancer therapies as well.

DOI10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110991
Alternate JournalCell Rep
PubMed ID35732128
Grant ListR38 CA231577 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
U54 CA210180 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
T32 ES007020 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
U01 CA238720 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States