PROJECT 4 Genomic instability is a fundamental feature of human cancer. Certain cancer types harbor underlying defects in DNA repair and thus are particularly susceptible to therapeutic strategies introducing DNA damage (e.g., BRCA1 mutant breast and ovarian cancers). In prostate cancer (PCa), structural genomic rearrangements, including translocations and copy number aberrations, are a common mechanism driving tumorigenesis. However, genetic alterations in PCa predisposing to chromosomal rearrangements remain largely undefined. Whole genome sequencing demonstrates that PCa harboring recurrent point mutations in SPOP (SPOPmut) display significantly higher numbers of genomic rearrangements compared with other clinically localized PCas. These observations raise the possibility that SPOP mutations, early events in PCa tumorigenesis, lead to genomic instability. Preliminary studies demonstrate that around 10% of PCa are SPOPmut, and these represent a distinct molecular subclass. Preliminary studies in vitro demonstrate that cells expressing SPOP mutations accumulate DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) due to altered DNA repair processes. Relevant to this SPORE project, we have shown that SPOP mutation results in increased sensitivity to DNA-damaging therapeutic agents such as ionizing radiation and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. Based on these observations, we hypothesize that SPOP mutation promotes accumulation of genomic rearrangements through impaired DSB repair and the SPOPmut subclass of PCa may be selectively responsive to DNA- damaging therapeutics, nominating alternative treatment strategies. We will test this hypothesis using a novel in vitro platform (organoids) to study endogenous SPOP mutations, in vivo mouse models testing the effect SPOP mutation on DNA damage response, and patient samples to define the response of SPOPmut patients to DNA damaging therapies. This highly collaborative project brings together established investigators supported by the PCF and SU2C- PCF who will now study the translational aspects of SPOPmut PCa. Using organoids, state-of-the-art mouse models, and cutting edge patient analyses, we will impact how clinical trials using DNA-damaging agents are rationally designed and analyzed.
PROJECT 4 About 10% of prostate cancers have mutations in the SPOP gene, leading to impaired DNA repair and genomic instability. Other types of cancers with these characteristics (such as BRCA1-associated breast cancers) show increased sensitivity to DNA damaging therapies, and preferential response for patients treated with these agents. Successful completion of this project will define a subclass of prostate cancer for which DNA damaging therapeutic agents may be particularly effective, allowing more precise approaches to prostate cancer treatment.
| Shoag, Jonathan; Liu, Deli; Blattner, Mirjam et al. (2018) SPOP mutation drives prostate neoplasia without stabilizing oncogenic transcription factor ERG. J Clin Invest 128:381-386 |
| Salami, Simpa S; Hovelson, Daniel H; Kaplan, Jeremy B et al. (2018) Transcriptomic heterogeneity in multifocal prostate cancer. JCI Insight 3: |
| Puca, Loredana; Bareja, Rohan; Prandi, Davide et al. (2018) Patient derived organoids to model rare prostate cancer phenotypes. Nat Commun 9:2404 |
| Liu, Hui; Murphy, Charles J; Karreth, Florian A et al. (2018) Identifying and Targeting Sporadic Oncogenic Genetic Aberrations in Mouse Models of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancer Discov 8:354-369 |
