Abstract 486: Characterization of a novel series of highly selective PARP7 inhibitors
Authors: Cowley Phillip M. , McGuinness Barry E. , Campbell Gillian M. , Wise Alan 
Published: April 2023

PARP7 is a cellular stress-induced enzyme that adds mono-ADP-ribose groups to a variety of substrate proteins thereby regulating their function. One such substrate is the kinase TBK1 which regulates activity of cGAS-STING and RIG-I nucleic acid sensing pathways. Up-regulation of PARP7 expression in cancers applies a brake to cytosolic nucleic acid sensing and the Type I interferon response. This creates an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) leading to faster tumor growth. In addition, inhibition of PARP7 has also been shown to directly arrest growth in a subset of cancer cells via the promotion of a senescence phenotype, inhibition of autophagy and regulation of metabolism. Through the use of structure-based drug design we describe the characterization of potent and selective inhibitors of PARP7. These molecules block viability of a subset of immortalized and primary cancer cells in 2D culture. We have observed potent cGAS-STING independent growth arrest in a number of cancer cell lines harboring a KRAS G12C mutation, and studies combining PARP7 inhibitors with commercially available KRAS G12C inhibitors yield additional in vitro efficacy. Recent studies have shown that inhibitors targeting oncogenic RAS pathway signaling can activate ULK1/2-mediated autophagy as an adaptive treatment resistance mechanism. Hence, our data support further studies investigating the use of PARP7 inhibitors in KRAS-driven cancers either as single agents or in combination with mutant KRAS inhibitors. Our molecules also stimulate robust induction of type I interferon (IFNβ) and downstream chemokines such as CXCL10 in a cGAS-STING pathway dependent manner in a range of cancer cells and 3D organoids. This induction is augmented by combining agonists of cGAS-STING and RIG-I pathways with PARP7 inhibitors. In addition, PARP7 inhibitors work in concert with exogenous DNA-damaging agents such as chemotherapeutics and X-ray radiation to induce the type I interferon response in cancer cells. Overall, these data highlight the opportunity to utilize PARP7 inhibitors in cancers where high genomic instability leads to aberrant cytosolic nucleic acid levels or in concert with exogenous DNA-damaging agents. Our PARP7 inhibitors exhibit highly desirable physico-chemical and in vitro ADME properties coupled with an exceptional in vitro safety profile which translates to best-in-class rodent PK. In a KRAS G12C lung cancer xenograft model (NCI-H1373), twice daily oral administration of an exemplar PARP7 inhibitor drives rapid and full tumor regression in a dose-dependent manner. The anti-tumor effects correlate with robust tumor PK/PD upon measurement of tumor IFNβ and CXCL10. In summary, we describe the characterization of a lead series of highly potent and selective PARP7 inhibitors which demonstrate excellent in vitro ADMET and in vivo PK properties leading to best-in-class anti-tumor efficacy in a KRAS-driven lung cancer xenograft model.

Citation Format: Phillip M. Cowley, Barry E. McGuinness, Gillian M. Campbell, Alan Wise. Characterization of a novel series of highly selective PARP7 inhibitors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 486.