Mechanisms of Epigenetic Plasticity in PDAC

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Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most deadly human cancers and in ~95% of cases driven by oncogenic mutations of Kras. Unfortunately, attempts to directly inhibit oncogenic Kras or Ras effector pathways have been largely ineffective in treating PDAC due to the development of resistance. Yap (Yes-associated-protein), an oncogenic transcription regulator, not only is required for PDAC progression but also confers resistance to extinction of oncogenic Kras signaling and other therapeutic agents in advanced PDAC tumors. Using a next- generation inducible genetic engineered mouse model, we discovered that even though PDAC tumors rely on Yap to maintain the transcriptional output necessary for tumor growth and survival, a subpopulation of tumor cells with stem/progenitor-like characteristics undergo epigenetic reprogramming eventually overcoming their Yap addiction in late stage PDAC. In this grant we propose a multi-faceted effort to elucidate the molecular/cellular drivers of adaptive reprogramming in Yap-ablated, advanced PDAC tumors, and explore novel therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance to Yap blockade. Furthermore, we will use an inducible genetic lineage- tracing model to track how the cancer “stem/progenitor” niches contribute to PDAC invasion, metastasis and resistance to Yap ablation. Together, these experiments will not only provide critical insights into the mechanisms underlying PDAC plasticity, but also inform potential new strategies to overcome therapeutic resistance in PDAC.