Replacement of normal with mutant alleles in the genome of normal human cells unveils mutation-specific drug responses

F Di Nicolantonio, S Arena… - Proceedings of the …, 2008 - National Acad Sciences
F Di Nicolantonio, S Arena, M Gallicchio, D Zecchin, M Martini, SE Flonta, GM Stella
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2008National Acad Sciences
Mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are responsible for tumorigenesis and
represent favored therapeutic targets in oncology. We exploited homologous recombination
to knock-in individual cancer mutations in the genome of nontransformed human cells.
Sequential introduction of multiple mutations was also achieved, demonstrating the potential
of this strategy to construct tumor progression models. Knock-in cells displayed allele-
specific activation of signaling pathways and mutation-specific phenotypes different from …
Mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are responsible for tumorigenesis and represent favored therapeutic targets in oncology. We exploited homologous recombination to knock-in individual cancer mutations in the genome of nontransformed human cells. Sequential introduction of multiple mutations was also achieved, demonstrating the potential of this strategy to construct tumor progression models. Knock-in cells displayed allele-specific activation of signaling pathways and mutation-specific phenotypes different from those obtainable by ectopic oncogene expression. Profiling of a library of pharmacological agents on the mutated cells showed striking sensitivity or resistance phenotypes to pathway-targeted drugs, often matching those of tumor cells carrying equivalent cancer mutations. Thus, knock-in of single or multiple cancer alleles provides a pharmacogenomic platform for the rational design of targeted therapies.
National Acad Sciences