Abstract 1267: Unusual mechanism of resistance to the novel cytidine analog fluorocyclopentenylcytosine (RX-3117)
Authors: Peters Godefridus J. , Sarkisjan Dzjemma , Hassouni Btissame El , Honeywell Richard J. , Julsing Joris R. , Balboni Beatrice , Klerk Daniel J. De , Zekanovic Safet , Smid Kees , Giovannetti Elisa , Lee Young B. , Kim Deog J. 
Published: August 2019

RX-3117 is a novel cytidine analog showing encouraging results in ongoing Phase 2a studies with gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and advanced urothelial bladder cancer. Cellular uptake of RX-3117 is mediated by the equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1). RX-3117 is activated by uridine-cytidine kinase-2 (UCK2) and is not a substrate for cytidine deaminase (CDA), and shows a good oral bioavailability. In an earlier study accumulation of RX-3117 nucleotides was associated with sensitivity to the drug. RX-3117 is incorporated into RNA and DNA and inhibits DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). RX-3117 is active against gemcitabine-resistant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. In this study we aimed to elucidate potential resistance mechanisms against RX-3117. For that purpose the NSCLC cell lines H460, A549 and SW1573 (including its gemcitabine resistant variant SW-G) were exposed to increasing concentrations of RX-3117. For A549 and SW1573 two variants were obtained: A549/RX1, A549/RX2, SW1573/RX1 and SW1573/RX2. Resistance varied from 10 (H460; SW-G) to &gt;100-fold for the other cell lines. Resistance was stable except for H460 cells. Cross-resistance in the same range was observed for the cytidine analogs ethynyl-cytidine (ETC), cyclopentenylcytosine (CPEC) and aza-cytidine (aza-CR), which are all activated by UCK2; no cross-resistance was observed for gemcitabine and aza-deoxycytidine which are activated by deoxycytidine kinase. No change was observed in the expression of DNMT1, while expression of ribonucleotide reductase 1 was decreased. However, analysis of UCK2 at the enzyme activity level, protein and gene expression did not reveal a decrease in UCK2 while for ETC, aza-CR and CPEC resistance was reported to be mediated by a UCK2 deficiency. No change was found in the other activating enzymes UMP-kinase, CMP-kinase and NME1/NDKA. Despite this lack of change, accumulation of RX-3117 and RX-3117 nucleotides (mono-, di- and triphosphate) was 2-5-fold lower in the resistant cells after incubation with 10 or 100 μM RX-3117 for 4-24 hr. No evidence for accumulation of RX-3117 deoxynucleotides was found in both the parent and the resistant cell lines. Since no change in hENT1 was found, cell lines were further investigated by using RNA-seq, and western blotting focusing on nucleoside/nucleotide degradation enzymes. CDA was decreased in resistant cells, but the cytosolic pyrimidine nucleotidase NT5C3 was increased in the resistant cell lines as well as DCTPP1, which can degrade deoxynucleoside triphosphates. Moreover several DNA repair enzymes SAMHD1, MTH1 and TDP1 were increased. However, inhibition of MTH1 and DCTPP1 did not increase sensitivity to RX-3117. In conclusion, induction of resistance to the novel cytidine analog RX-3117 led to a decreased accumulation of RX-3117 ribonucleotides, which might be associated with an increased degradation.

Citation Format: Godefridus J. Peters, Dzjemma Sarkisjan, Btissame El Hassouni, Richard J. Honeywell, Joris R. Julsing, Beatrice Balboni, Daniel J. De Klerk, Safet Zekanovic, Kees Smid, Elisa Giovannetti, Young B. Lee, Deog J. Kim. Unusual mechanism of resistance to the novel cytidine analog fluorocyclopentenylcytosine (RX-3117) [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 1267.