Most cancer cells display activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and the downstream enzymes AKT and TOR. Targeting the PI3K/AKT/TOR network is a promising strategy for cancer therapeutics, yet it is not clear which target profile will provide the best balance of efficacy and tolerability. Compounds that partially inhibit TOR (such as rapamycin) or compounds that inhibit both PI3K and TOR (such as PI-103) have significant limitations in efficacy and/or tolerability. A major breakthrough in this field has been the identification of novel compounds that are highly potent, selective, small molecule competitive inhibitors of TOR. Termed active-site TOR inhibitors, these compounds fully inhibit the TOR enzyme when it is present in TORC1 or TORC2, two distinct multiprotein complexes. Compared to rapamycin, an allosteric inhibitor, active-site TOR inhibitors have a broader effect on key signaling pathways and are more effective at suppressing survival of murine and human leukemia cells. Remarkably, these compounds are less immunosuppressive than rapamycin despite their greater anti-leukemic efficacy. Active-site TOR inhibitors appear equally effective in leukemia models as the less selective PI3K/TOR inhibitors, yet are considerably better tolerated in mice. Several active-site TOR inhibitors are in early stage clinical trials. The overall objective of this proposal is to refine and extend our understanding of active-site TOR inhibitors, with the ultimate goal of improving the health of cancer patients. We will focus on B cell malignancies, since active-site TOR inhibitors have dramatic effects in B cell leukemia models yet the mechanism of action remains poorly understood. The proposal has two specific aims. First, we will establish the mechanisms by which active-site TOR inhibitors trigger leukemia cell death. In this aim we will use genetic approaches to test the hypothesis that both TORC1 and TORC2 mediate survival signaling in leukemia cells. This will be accomplished using inducible Cre-mediated knockout systems and shRNA-mediated knockdown. We will then test the roles of TORC1 and TORC2 substrates in maintaining survival in leukemia cells. Second, we will define mechanisms of cellular resistance to active-site TOR inhibitors. As with any targeted molecular approach, subtypes of cancer cells display differing sensitivity to active-site TOR inhibitors. An emerging theme in drug development is the need to identify effective combinations of targeted agents. Using cell lines that do not undergo apoptosis in response to TOR inhibition, we will use candidate and global approaches to identify druggable mechanisms of resistance. We will then test combination strategies in vitro and in vivo. Identifying mechanisms of resistance and applying appropriate drug combinations will broaden the potential application of active-site TOR inhibitors.

Public Health Relevance

Our laboratory has identified a new class of drugs that kill leukemia cells in animals more effectively than current treatments, with less toxicity. In this project we will learn more about how these new drugs cause death of leukemia cells. We will also identify mechanisms that allow leukemia and lymphoma cells to become resistant to these drugs.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
4R01CA158383-05
Application #
9021608
Study Section
Basic Mechanisms of Cancer Therapeutics Study Section (BMCT)
Program Officer
Forry, Suzanne L
Project Start
2012-03-12
Project End
2017-02-28
Budget Start
2016-03-01
Budget End
2017-02-28
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Irvine
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
046705849
City
Irvine
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92617
Fruman, David A; Chiu, Honyin; Hopkins, Benjamin D et al. (2017) The PI3K Pathway in Human Disease. Cell 170:605-635
Vo, Thanh-Trang T; Lee, J Scott; Nguyen, Duc et al. (2017) mTORC1 Inhibition Induces Resistance to Methotrexate and 6-Mercaptopurine in Ph+ and Ph-like B-ALL. Mol Cancer Ther 16:1942-1953
Lee, Jong-Hoon Scott; Vo, Thanh-Trang; Fruman, David A (2016) Targeting mTOR for the treatment of B cell malignancies. Br J Clin Pharmacol 82:1213-1228
Hong, Cheol Am; Cho, Soo Kyung; Edson, Julius A et al. (2016) Viral/Nonviral Chimeric Nanoparticles To Synergistically Suppress Leukemia Proliferation via Simultaneous Gene Transduction and Silencing. ACS Nano 10:8705-14
Zeng, Zhihong; Wang, Rui-Yu; Qiu, Yi Hua et al. (2016) MLN0128, a novel mTOR kinase inhibitor, disrupts survival signaling and triggers apoptosis in AML and AML stem/ progenitor cells. Oncotarget 7:55083-55097
So, Lomon; Lee, Jongdae; Palafox, Miguel et al. (2016) The 4E-BP-eIF4E axis promotes rapamycin-sensitive growth and proliferation in lymphocytes. Sci Signal 9:ra57
Beagle, Brandon R; Nguyen, Duc M; Mallya, Sharmila et al. (2015) mTOR kinase inhibitors synergize with histone deacetylase inhibitors to kill B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Oncotarget 6:2088-100
Lee, J Scott; Tang, Sarah S; Ortiz, Veronica et al. (2015) MCL-1-independent mechanisms of synergy between dual PI3K/mTOR and BCL-2 inhibition in diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Oncotarget 6:35202-17
Vo, Thanh-Trang T; Fruman, David A (2015) INPP4B Is a Tumor Suppressor in the Context of PTEN Deficiency. Cancer Discov 5:697-700
Fruman, David A; Rommel, Christian (2014) PI3K and cancer: lessons, challenges and opportunities. Nat Rev Drug Discov 13:140-56

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