Pooled Genomic Screens Identify Anti-apoptotic Genes as Targetable Mediators of Chemotherapy Resistance in Ovarian Cancer.

Mol Cancer Res
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is often sensitive to initial treatment with platinum and taxane combination chemotherapy, but most patients relapse with chemotherapy-resistant disease. To systematically identify genes modulating chemotherapy response, we performed pooled functional genomic screens in HGSOC cell lines treated with cisplatin, paclitaxel, or cisplatin plus paclitaxel. Genes in the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis were among the top candidate resistance genes in both gain-of-function and loss-of-function screens. In an open reading frame overexpression screen, followed by a mini-pool secondary screen, anti-apoptotic genes including (BCL-XL) and (BCL-W) were associated with chemotherapy resistance. In a CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screen, loss of decreased cell survival whereas loss of proapoptotic genes promoted resistance. To dissect the role of individual anti-apoptotic proteins in HGSOC chemotherapy response, we evaluated overexpression or inhibition of BCL-2, BCL-XL, BCL-W, and MCL1 in HGSOC cell lines. Overexpression of anti-apoptotic proteins decreased apoptosis and modestly increased cell viability upon cisplatin or paclitaxel treatment. Conversely, specific inhibitors of BCL-XL, MCL1, or BCL-XL/BCL-2, but not BCL-2 alone, enhanced cell death when combined with cisplatin or paclitaxel. Anti-apoptotic protein inhibitors also sensitized HGSOC cells to the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor olaparib. These unbiased screens highlight anti-apoptotic proteins as mediators of chemotherapy resistance in HGSOC, and support inhibition of BCL-XL and MCL1, alone or combined with chemotherapy or targeted agents, in treatment of primary and recurrent HGSOC. IMPLICATIONS: Anti-apoptotic proteins modulate drug resistance in ovarian cancer, and inhibitors of BCL-XL or MCL1 promote cell death in combination with chemotherapy.

Year of Publication
2019
Journal
Mol Cancer Res
Volume
17
Issue
11
Pages
2281-2293
Date Published
2019 11
ISSN
1557-3125
DOI
10.1158/1541-7786.MCR-18-1243
PubMed ID
31462500
PubMed Central ID
PMC6825578
Links
Grant list
KL2 TR001100 / TR / NCATS NIH HHS / United States
R00 CA222554 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
K08 CA237871 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R35 CA197568 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
U54 CA224068 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
K99 CA222554 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
F32 CA180733 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA219943 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States