Abstract 1337: Functional genomic characterization of the USP1 inhibitor KSQ-4279 reveals a distinct mechanism of action and resistance profile relative to other DDR targeting drugs
Authors: Shenker Sol , Gannon Hugh , Carlson Alyssa , Grasberger Paula , Sullivan Pamela , Middleton Chris , Dodson Anne , Bullock Caroline , McGuire Michael , Tobin Erica , Sinkevicius Kerstin , Schlabach Mike , Stegmeier Frank , Cadzow Louise , Wylie Andrew 
Published: July 2021

Genomic instability is a hallmark of most cancers that enables tumor cells to adapt and evolve, but also creates vulnerabilities that can be therapeutically exploited. Cancer therapies that target the DNA Damage Response (DDR) have proven to be efficacious across a broad range of cancer types, but often present a narrow therapeutic window and limited duration of response due to the development of resistance. Through mining our proprietary CRISPRomics® Oncology dataset we identified the ubiquitin protease, USP1, as an attractive target with activity in ovarian and triple negative breast cancers (TNBC). USP1 facilitates DNA repair via its role regulating the Fanconi anemia complex and translesion synthesis. We developed a series of potent, selective USP1 inhibitors to investigate the therapeutic potential of targeting USP1 in tumor settings dependent on those DNA repair processes. When profiled across a broad range of cancer cell line models, the USP1-inhibitor KSQ-4279 showed anti-proliferative effects in a subset of cell lines, often characterized by the presence of homologous recombination deficiencies (HRD), including mutations in BRCA1/2. To better understand the mechanism of action of KSQ-4279, we employed large scale functional genomic screens using KSQ-4279, olaparib, and cisplatin, in combination with a DNA-repair focused CRISPR library, to identify genetic determinants of sensitivity and anticipate modes of drug resistance. In addition to recovering genetic associations between KSQ-4279 and genes that modify USP1's direct substrates, our screens identified genetic interactions of KSQ-4279 with multiple DNA repair pathways, including genes involved in ubiquitin-mediated signaling events that regulate the response to DNA damage and replication stress. These studies revealed that the profile of resistance to KSQ-4279 is distinct from, and in some cases complementary to, other DNA damaging agents, and provide a mechanistic rationale for the use of KSQ-4279 in combination with other agents that target DNA repair. Consistent with the largely non-overlapping resistance profile of USP1 and PARP inhibitors, we found that the combination of KSQ-4279 with olaparib was able to induce strong and durable regressions across a number of ovarian and TNBC PDX models.

Citation Format: Sol Shenker, Hugh Gannon, Alyssa Carlson, Paula Grasberger, Pamela Sullivan, Chris Middleton, Anne Dodson, Caroline Bullock, Michael McGuire, Erica Tobin, Kerstin Sinkevicius, Mike Schlabach, Frank Stegmeier, Louise Cadzow, Andrew Wylie. Functional genomic characterization of the USP1 inhibitor KSQ-4279 reveals a distinct mechanism of action and resistance profile relative to other DDR targeting drugs [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 1337.