BRAF V600 and ErbB inhibitors directly activate GCN2 in an off-target manner to limit cancer cell proliferation

bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2024 Dec 20:2024.12.19.629301. doi: 10.1101/2024.12.19.629301.

Abstract

Targeted kinase inhibitors are well known for their promiscuity and off-target effects. Herein, we define an off-target effect in which several clinical BRAF V600 inhibitors, including the widely used dabrafenib and encorafenib, interact directly with GCN2 to activate the Integrated Stress Response and ATF4. Blocking this off-target effect by co-drugging with a GCN2 inhibitor in A375 melanoma cells causes enhancement rather than suppression of cancer cell outgrowth, suggesting that the off-target activation of GCN2 is detrimental to these cells. This result is mirrored in PC9 lung cancer cells treated with erlotinib, an EGFR inhibitor, that shares the same off-target activation of GCN2. Using an in silico kinase inhibitor screen, we identified dozens of FDA-approved drugs that appear to share this off-target activation of GCN2 and ATF4. Thus, GCN2 activation may modulate the therapeutic efficacy of some kinase inhibitors, depending on the cancer context.

Publication types

  • Preprint