Exploiting MCL1 Dependency with Combination MEK + MCL1 Inhibitors Leads to Induction of Apoptosis and Tumor Regression in KRAS -Mutant Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

BH3 mimetic drugs, which inhibit prosurvival BCL2 family proteins, have limited single-agent activity in solid tumor models. The potential of BH3 mimetics for these cancers may depend on their ability to potentiate the apoptotic response to chemotherapy and targeted therapies. Using a novel class of potent and selective MCL1 inhibitors, we demonstrate that concurrent MEK + MCL1 inhibition induces apoptosis and tumor regression in KRAS-mutant non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) models, which respond poorly to MEK inhibition alone. Susceptibility to BH3 mimetics that target either MCL1 or BCL-xL was determined by the differential binding of proapoptotic BCL2 proteins to MCL1 or BCL-xL, respectively. The efficacy of dual MEK + MCL1 blockade was augmented by prior transient exposure to BCL-xL inhibitors, which promotes the binding of proapoptotic BCL2 proteins to MCL1. This suggests a novel strategy for integrating BH3 mimetics that target different BCL2 family proteins for KRAS-mutant NSCLC. Significance: Defining the molecular basis for MCL1 versus BCL-xL dependency will be essential for effective prioritization of BH3 mimetic combination therapies in the clinic. We discover a novel strategy for integrating BCL-xL and MCL1 inhibitors to drive and subsequently exploit apoptotic dependencies of KRAS-mutant NSCLCs treated with MEK inhibitors. See related commentary by Leber et al., p. 1511. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1494