Negative MAPK-ERK regulation sustains CIC-DUX4 oncoprotein expression in undifferentiated sarcoma

YK Lin, W Wu, RK Ponce, JW Kim… - Proceedings of the …, 2020 - National Acad Sciences
YK Lin, W Wu, RK Ponce, JW Kim, RA Okimoto
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2020National Acad Sciences
Transcription factor fusions (TFFs) are present in∼ 30% of soft-tissue sarcomas. TFFs are
not readily “druggable” in a direct pharmacologic manner and thus have proven difficult to
target in the clinic. A prime example is the CIC-DUX4 oncoprotein, which fuses Capicua
(CIC) to the double homeobox 4 gene, DUX4. CIC-DUX4 sarcoma is a highly aggressive
and lethal subtype of small round cell sarcoma found predominantly in adolescents and
young adults. To identify new therapeutic targets in CIC-DUX4 sarcoma, we performed …
Transcription factor fusions (TFFs) are present in ∼30% of soft-tissue sarcomas. TFFs are not readily “druggable” in a direct pharmacologic manner and thus have proven difficult to target in the clinic. A prime example is the CIC-DUX4 oncoprotein, which fuses Capicua (CIC) to the double homeobox 4 gene, DUX4. CIC-DUX4 sarcoma is a highly aggressive and lethal subtype of small round cell sarcoma found predominantly in adolescents and young adults. To identify new therapeutic targets in CIC-DUX4 sarcoma, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analysis using patient-derived CIC-DUX4 cells. We uncovered multiple CIC-DUX4 targets that negatively regulate MAPK-ERK signaling. Mechanistically, CIC-DUX4 transcriptionally up-regulates these negative regulators of MAPK to dampen ERK activity, leading to sustained CIC-DUX4 expression. Genetic and pharmacologic MAPK-ERK activation through DUSP6 inhibition leads to CIC-DUX4 degradation and apoptotic induction. Collectively, we reveal a mechanism-based approach to therapeutically degrade the CIC-DUX4 oncoprotein and provide a precision-based strategy to combat this lethal cancer.
National Acad Sciences