Abstract 3865: Discovery of novel DHODH and OXPHOS inhibitors
Authors: Versele Matthias , Selhorst Philippe , Metzger Kristine , Nijs Marnik , Klaassen Hugo , Kilonda Amuri , Marchand Damien , Arzel Philippe , Lambin Dominique , Vanherck Jean-Christophe , Marchand Arnaud , Chaltin Patrick , Corbet Cyril , Feron Olivier 
Published: August 2019

Inhibition of mitochondrial metabolism for treatment-resistant tumors has attracted renewed attention. Pharmacologic inhibition of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is efficacious in preclinical models of chemo-resistant AML, glycolysis-deficient glioma, and Swi/Snf mutant lung cancer, and is associated with an apparent robust safety index (Molina et al., 2018, Nat Med 24: 1036-1046; Lissanu Deribe et al., 2018, Nat Med 24: 1047-1057). In addition, immune-suppressive cell types in the tumor micro-environment depend on OXPHOS metabolism, including CD4+ regulatory T-cells (Tregs), whereas tumor-infiltrating effector T-cells instead rely on glycolytic metabolism (Angelin et al., 2017, Cell Metab. 25: 1282-1293).

Here, we have used a phenotypic drug discovery approach to identify selective inhibitors of mitochondrial -but not glycolytic- tumor cell metabolism. Based on initial hits derived from a high-throughput screening campaign, a chemical series was optimized to achieve single digit nM potency (best IC50= 2 nM) in targeting OXPHOS-dependent cancer cells (grown on lactate as sole carbon source) but not glycolytic cells (grown on glucose; IC50 &gt; 10 microM). Target deconvolution within this chemical series revealed 2 distinct mechanisms. One chemical subseries are direct inhibitors of the mitochondrial enzyme, dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH). Consistent with previous reports on DHODH inhibitors, these compounds potently impair AML cell proliferation (best IC50= 10nM) through induction of myeloid cell differentiation -a trait that can be rescued by providing exogenous uridine to the cell cultures (IC50 &gt; 10 microM). A second chemically distinct subset of compounds inhibit mitochondrial OXPHOS, but does not inhibit DHODH. As expected, these compounds selectively target OXPHOS-dependent cancer cell lines, and display a robust selectivity window (determined in glycolysis-dependent cell lines). Moreover, these inhibitors do not affect a mixed-lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assay. In-depth metabolomic profiling in cancer cells fueled by glucose, lactate or glutamine, the precise molecular target of these compounds, and further in vivo characterization of these compounds will be presented. Finally, the unique opportunity to simultaneously inhibit both DHODH and OXPHOS using dual inhibitors will be evaluated in chemo-resistant AML models.

Citation Format: Matthias Versele, Philippe Selhorst, Kristine Metzger, Marnik Nijs, Hugo Klaassen, Amuri Kilonda, Damien Marchand, Philippe Arzel, Dominique Lambin, Jean-Christophe Vanherck, Arnaud Marchand, Patrick Chaltin, Cyril Corbet, Olivier Feron. Discovery of novel DHODH and OXPHOS inhibitors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3865.