Activation of endogenous retroviruses and induction of viral mimicry by MEK1/2 inhibition in pancreatic cancer

Sci Adv. 2024 Mar 29;10(13):eadk5386. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adk5386. Epub 2024 Mar 27.

Abstract

While pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) are addicted to KRAS-activating mutations, inhibitors of downstream KRAS effectors, such as the MEK1/2 kinase inhibitor trametinib, are devoid of therapeutic effects. However, the extensive rewiring of regulatory circuits driven by the attenuation of the KRAS pathway may induce vulnerabilities of therapeutic relevance. An in-depth molecular analysis of the transcriptional and epigenomic alterations occurring in PDAC cells in the initial hours after MEK1/2 inhibition by trametinib unveiled the induction of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) escaping epigenetic silencing, leading to the production of double-stranded RNAs and the increased expression of interferon (IFN) genes. We tracked ERV activation to the early induction of the transcription factor ELF3, which extensively bound and activated nonsilenced retroelements and synergized with IRF1 (interferon regulatory factor 1) in the activation of IFNs and IFN-stimulated genes. Trametinib-induced viral mimicry in PDAC may be exploited in the rational design of combination therapies in immuno-oncology.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal* / metabolism
  • Endogenous Retroviruses* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)