
Abstract Background More than half of mesothelioma tumours show alterations in the tumour suppressor gene BAP1. BAP1-deficient mesothelioma is shown to be sensitive to EZH2 inhibition in preclinical settings but only showed modest efficacy in clinical trial. Adding a second inhibitor could potentially elevate EZH2i treatment efficacy while preventing acquired resistance at the same time. Methods A focused drug synergy screen consisting of 20 drugs was performed by combining EZH2 inhibition with a panel of anti-cancer compounds in mesothelioma cell lines. The compounds used are under preclinical investigation or already used in the clinic. The synergistic potential of the combinations was assessed by using the Bliss model. To validate our findings, in vivo xenograft experiments were performed. Results Combining EZH2i with ATMi was found to have synergistic potential against BAP1-deficient mesothelioma in our drug screen, which was validated in clonogenicity assays. Tumour growth inhibition potential was significantly increased in BAP1-deficient xenografts. In addition, we observe lower ATM levels upon depletion of BAP1 and hypothesise that this might be mediated by E2F1. Conclusions We demonstrated the efficacy of the combination of ATM and EZH2 inhibition against BAP1-deficient mesothelioma in preclinical models, indicating the potential of this combination as a novel treatment modality using BAP1 as a biomarker.
Mesothelioma, Tumor Suppressor Proteins, Tumor Suppressor Proteins/deficiency [MeSH] ; Cell Line, Tumor [MeSH] ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins/genetics [MeSH] ; Drug Synergism [MeSH] ; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase/antagonists ; Mesothelioma/drug therapy [MeSH] ; Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein/antagonists ; /631/67/1641 ; /692/308/575 ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays [MeSH] ; Mesothelioma/genetics [MeSH] ; Female [MeSH] ; Mesothelioma/pathology [MeSH] ; Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins/genetics [MeSH] ; Humans [MeSH] ; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase/deficiency [MeSH] ; Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein/genetics [MeSH] ; /692/308/2778 ; Animals [MeSH] ; Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins/antagonists ; Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins/deficiency [MeSH] ; Mice [MeSH] ; Article ; /692/4017 ; /692/4028/67/1641 ; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase/genetics [MeSH] ; article, Drug Synergism, Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins, Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays, Article, Mice, Cell Line, Tumor, Humans, Animals, Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein, Female, Ubiquitin Thiolesterase
Mesothelioma, Tumor Suppressor Proteins, Tumor Suppressor Proteins/deficiency [MeSH] ; Cell Line, Tumor [MeSH] ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins/genetics [MeSH] ; Drug Synergism [MeSH] ; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase/antagonists ; Mesothelioma/drug therapy [MeSH] ; Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein/antagonists ; /631/67/1641 ; /692/308/575 ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays [MeSH] ; Mesothelioma/genetics [MeSH] ; Female [MeSH] ; Mesothelioma/pathology [MeSH] ; Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins/genetics [MeSH] ; Humans [MeSH] ; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase/deficiency [MeSH] ; Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein/genetics [MeSH] ; /692/308/2778 ; Animals [MeSH] ; Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins/antagonists ; Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins/deficiency [MeSH] ; Mice [MeSH] ; Article ; /692/4017 ; /692/4028/67/1641 ; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase/genetics [MeSH] ; article, Drug Synergism, Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins, Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays, Article, Mice, Cell Line, Tumor, Humans, Animals, Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein, Female, Ubiquitin Thiolesterase
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 5 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
