Targeting translation initiation by synthetic rocaglates for treating MYC-driven lymphomas

Leukemia. 2020 Jan;34(1):138-150. doi: 10.1038/s41375-019-0503-z. Epub 2019 Jun 6.

Abstract

MYC-driven lymphomas, especially those with concurrent MYC and BCL2 dysregulation, are currently a challenge in clinical practice due to rapid disease progression, resistance to standard chemotherapy, and high risk of refractory disease. MYC plays a central role by coordinating hyperactive protein synthesis with upregulated transcription in order to support rapid proliferation of tumor cells. Translation initiation inhibitor rocaglates have been identified as the most potent drugs in MYC-driven lymphomas as they efficiently inhibit MYC expression and tumor cell viability. We found that this class of compounds can overcome eIF4A abundance by stabilizing target mRNA-eIF4A interaction that directly prevents translation. Proteome-wide quantification demonstrated selective repression of multiple critical oncoproteins in addition to MYC in B-cell lymphoma including NEK2, MCL1, AURKA, PLK1, and several transcription factors that are generally considered undruggable. Finally, (-)-SDS-1-021, the most promising synthetic rocaglate, was confirmed to be highly potent as a single agent, and displayed significant synergy with the BCL2 inhibitor ABT199 in inhibiting tumor growth and survival in primary lymphoma cells in vitro and in patient-derived xenograft mouse models. Overall, our findings support the strategy of using rocaglates to target oncoprotein synthesis in MYC-driven lymphomas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aglaia
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell* / genetics
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell* / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Peptide Chain Initiation, Translational / drug effects*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / biosynthesis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / drug effects*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Plant Extracts
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc