Jones, Greg Gordon;
(2018)
The SHOC2 phosphatase complex as a therapeutic target for ERK pathway inhibition in RAS-driven tumors.
Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
Targeted inhibition of the ERK-MAPK pathway, upregulated in the majority of human cancers, has been hindered in the clinic by drug resistance and on-target toxicity. The MRAS-SHOC2-PP1 complex plays a key, but underexplored role in RAF-ERK pathway activation, by dephosphorylating a critical inhibitory site on RAF-kinases. In this body of work we present a preferential requirement for the SHOC2-phosphatase complex, specifically for Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (RTK), and anchorage-independent (tumorigenic) growth stimulated ERK-activation. We highlight that this context-dependent signalling bias has functional consequences in RAS-mutant cells, by specifically inhibiting anchorage-independent, but not 2D-adhered cell growth. Strikingly we show in vivo that SHOC2 deletion suppresses tumour initiation in KRAS-driven lung cancer models, and significantly extends overall survival. Additionally, SHOC2 inhibition selectively sensitizes KRAS- and EGFR-mutant Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells to MEK inhibitors. Mechanistically we show this is because SHOC2 is required for feedback-induced RAF dimerization, and as such combined MEK inhibition and SHOC2 suppression leads to more potent and sustained ERK-pathway repression, driving a BIM-dependent apoptosis. Crucially, systemic SHOC2 ablation in adult mice is relatively well tolerated compared with other, core, ERK-pathway signalling nodes. These results present a rationale for the generation of SHOC2 targeted therapies, both as a monotherapy, and to widen the therapeutic index of MEK inhibitors.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | Ph.D |
| Title: | The SHOC2 phosphatase complex as a therapeutic target for ERK pathway inhibition in RAS-driven tumors |
| Event: | UCL (University College London) |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Third party copyright materila has been removed from ethesis. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Cancer Institute UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Cancer Institute > Research Department of Cancer Bio |
| URI: | https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10060157 |
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