Abstract 1081: A role for the oncogenic driver fusion protein EWS-FLI1 in the targeting of DR5 by INBRX-109 in Ewing sarcoma
Authors: Parker Curtis C. , Gaetano Lauren M. , Boguslawski Elissa A. , Kinn-Gurzo Seneca , Kaufman Rebecca , Stout Matthew C. , Deveraux Chase , Grohar Patrick J. 
Published: March 2024

Background: Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 10b (TNFRSF10b, also known as DR5) agonists are attractive targeted agents for cancer cells because these agents activate cellular apoptosis. Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a bone and soft-tissue sarcoma occurring in adolescence defined by a t(11;22)(q24;q12) balanced chromosomal translocation that results in chimeric transcription factor and oncogenic driver protein, EWS-FLI1. Independent studies and unbiased cell line screens have reported ES to be sensitive to DR5 targeting. INBRX-109 is a tetravalent, DR5-targeted antibody. Here, we analyzed the sensitivity of ES models to DR5 targeting by INBRX-109 and explored how the EWS-FLI1 transcriptional program impacts the continuum of sensitivity-resistance to this targeting.

Methods: In a panel of 11 ES lines, in vitro sensitivity was assessed to both single agent and INBRX-109 combinations. A screen of 1,363 FDA approved compounds identified cooperative combinations that were prioritized mechanistically. Differential sensitivity for single agent and in combination with irinotecan was confirmed in vivo in xenograft models. Resistant clones were isolated from in vivo experiments and evaluated for DR5 expression and sensitivity. Cellular factors associated with sensitivity and resistance were determined by siRNA knockdown and Cleavage Under Targets and Tagmentation assay (CUT and Tag).

Results: ES models showed variable sensitivity to INBRX-109, with a GI90 as low as 10 picomolar in some models. All models showed robust expression of DR5, but absolute expression of DR5 did not correlate with sensitivity. In vitro sensitivity was replicated in vivo, with all 7 mice bearing RD-ES xenografts demonstrating initial complete tumor regression and 3 of 7 mice demonstrating no recurrence beyond 90 days. Importantly, cells isolated from recurrent tumors showed a novel mechanism of resistance: direct repression of DR5 by EWS-FLI1. INBRX-109 was ineffective as a single agent at 10 nM in resistant ES models. However, there was striking synergy in vitro with SN38, the active metabolite of irinotecan, and this effect translated into tumor regressions of a resistant TC32 xenograft in vivo. The FDA compound screen captured novel synergy with a panel of agents.

Conclusion: INBRX-109 is an exciting candidate for ES as a single agent in subsets of tumors or in combination with irinotecan, which is currently being evaluated in the clinic. Investigation of the exact relationship between EWS-FLI1 and sensitivity to DR5 targeting is ongoing. Initial findings suggest EWS-FLI1, combined with other disease modifying mutations, is a key mediator of this sensitivity. Further, EWS-FLI1 plays a direct role repressing DR5 in the setting of therapeutic challenge in one model in vivo. These findings highlight the potential for INBRX-109 in combination with irinotecan or novel candidates as therapies for ES patients.

Citation Format: Curtis C. Parker, Lauren M. Gaetano, Elissa A. Boguslawski, Seneca Kinn-Gurzo, Rebecca Kaufman, Matthew C. Stout, Chase Deveraux, Patrick J. Grohar. A role for the oncogenic driver fusion protein EWS-FLI1 in the targeting of DR5 by INBRX-109 in Ewing sarcoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1081.