Evaluation of the RAS signaling network in response to MEK inhibition using organoids derived from a familial adenomatous polyposis patient

Sci Rep. 2020 Oct 15;10(1):17455. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-74530-x.

Abstract

RAS signaling is a promising target for colorectal cancer (CRC) therapy, and a variety of selective inhibitors have been developed. However, their use has often failed to demonstrate a significant benefit in CRC patients. Here, we used patient-derived organoids (PDOs) derived from a familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patient to analyze the response to chemotherapeutic agents targeting EGFR, BRAF and MEK. We found that PDOs carrying KRAS mutations were resistant to MEK inhibition, while those harboring the BRAF class 3 mutation were hypersensitive. We used a systematic approach to examine the phosphorylation of RAS effectors using reverse-phase protein array (RPPA) and found increased phosphorylation of MEK induced by binimetinib. A high basal level of ERK phosphorylation and its rebound activation after MEK inhibition were detected in KRAS-mutant PDOs. Notably, the phosphorylation of EGFR and AKT was more closely correlated with that of MEK than that of ERK. Transcriptome analysis identified MYC-mediated transcription and IFN signaling as significantly correlated gene sets in MEK inhibition. Our experiments demonstrated that RPPA analysis of PDOs, in combination with the genome and transcriptome, is a useful preclinical research platform to understand RAS signaling and provides clues for the development of chemotherapeutic strategies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / metabolism*
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Benzimidazoles / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Exome
  • Humans
  • Interferons / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mutation
  • Organoids / drug effects
  • Organoids / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA
  • Transcriptome
  • ras Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Benzimidazoles
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • binimetinib
  • Interferons
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases
  • ras Proteins