The role of NF2 in Acquired Resistance to Targeted EGFR Inhibition in Lung Cancer

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Metastatic lung tumors that harbor activating mutations in the gene encoding the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) initially respond to first-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as gefitinib or erlotinib, but eventually develop acquired resistance (AR). Upon disease progression, more than half of patients' tumors harbor a second-site EGFR mutation, T790M. Our lab showed in preclinical models that the combination of a second-generation EGFR-TKI, afatinib, plus the anti- EGFR antibody, cetuximab, may overcome T790M-mediated resistance. A subsequent phase Ib clinical trial in patients with AR to gefitinib/erlotinib showed an unprecedented 30% response rate. I have obtained tumor samples from three patients whose T790M-harboring tumors responded radiographically, then progressed on the drug combination. Bioinformatic analysis of whole genome sequencing identified in one sample two unexpected NF2 mutations: a splice site mutation c.811- 2A>T and a truncating mutation c.592C>T (p.R198*). Neither mutation was detected in the patient's pre-treatment sample, suggesting that mutations in NF2 were acquired during treatment. The NF2 gene encodes Merlin, a cytoskeletal protein involved in cellular adhesion. Among its putative functions, Merlin has been shown to play a role in EGFR signaling. In confluent environments, Merlin binds EGFR at the membrane to inhibit receptor signaling and prevent internalization and recycling. Loss of Merlin can lead to enhanced EGFR signaling as well as activation of downstream PI3K and MAPK signaling pathways. The role of Merlin in both cellular adhesion and growth factor receptor response make it an intriguing candidate to mediate resistance to dual EGFR inhibition. My preliminary studies in an EGFR-mutant lung cancer cell line show that transient transfection with a pool of short-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against NF2 decreases cell sensitivity to EGFR TKI erlotinib. Similar results were obtained with individual siRNAs. Based upon my preliminary data, I hypothesize that loss of NF2 mediates tumor resistance to EGFR inhibition in EGFR-mutant lung tumors. To test this hypothesis, I propose three specific aims: 1) determine the effect of NF2 loss and overexpression on the sensitivity of EGFR-mutant lung cancer cells to EGFR inhibition in a panel of EGFR mutant cell lines; 2) examine the mechanistic consequences of NF2 loss on proliferative/oncogenic signaling pathways in drug-sensitive and -resistant EGFR mutant cells; and 3) determine the frequency of NF2 mutation in relevant patient samples. Understanding the functional and signaling consequences of NF2 mutation may provide insights into EGFR signaling and reveal ways to prevent or overcome acquired resistance in patients.