Abstract PO1-24-04: Gedatolisib, a pan-PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, shows superior potency and efficacy relative to other PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitors in breast cancer models
Authors: Stefano Rossetti, Aaron Broege, Adrish Sen, Salmaan Khan, Ian MacNeil, Jhomary Molden, Igor Gorbatchevsky, Brian F. Sullivan, Lance Laing
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Background: The PI3K, AKT, and mTOR (PAM) pathway is frequently activated in breast cancer (BC). Current standard-of-care therapy options for patients with advanced BC (ABC) include PAM inhibitors (PAMi), such as everolimus and alpelisib, and hormonal therapy, such as letrozole and fulvestrant. Most PAMi selectively inhibit one or only a few PAM pathway components, which can lead to drug resistance. To minimize drug resistance, a more comprehensive inhibition of the multiple PI3K isoforms and downstream mTOR complexes may be required. We hypothesized that gedatolisib, which potently inhibits all Class I PI3K isoforms, as well as mTORC1 and mTORC2, can be more effective in BC cells than a PAMi targeting single PAM pathway components. Methods: A panel of BC cell lines with mutated or non-mutated PAM pathway genes (PIK3CA, PTEN, AKT) were evaluated for their sensitivity to gedatolisib and other PAMi (PI3K-α: alpelisib; AKT: capivasertib; mTORC1: everolimus; pan-PI3K/mTOR: gedatolisib). Cell viability, growth rate inhibition, and cell death were evaluated by luciferase- and fluorescence-based assays, both in monolayer cultures and three-dimensional (3D) cultures on reconstituted basement membrane. Flow cytometry analytical assays were conducted to assess DNA synthesis (EdU incorporation), protein synthesis (OPP incorporation), and PAM pathway activity (RPS6 and 4EBP1 phosphorylation). BC xenograft studies evaluating gedatolisib in vivo were also performed. Results: Gedatolisib strongly inhibited PAM pathway activity and reduced cell viability and growth rate in the cell lines tested. Compared to the other PAMi, gedatolisib exhibited more potent and efficacious anti-proliferative and cytotoxic effects, regardless of the cell lines’ PI3K pathway mutational status. Gedatolisib effects were confirmed in 3D culture on reconstituted basement membrane, where gedatolisib inhibited tumor cell spheroid growth and induced regression. Mechanistically, gedatolisib decreased both DNA and protein synthesis more effectively than the other PAMi tested. Gedatolisib also exerted superior anti-proliferative and cytotoxic effects relative to the other PAMi tested in estrogen receptor-positive BC cell lines concomitantly treated with fulvestrant. BC xenografts confirmed growth inhibitory effects of gedatolisib in vivo. Conclusions: The pan-PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, gedatolisib, may more effectively address potential drug resistance mechanisms associated with narrowly targeted PAM inhibitors. Gedatolisib has previously demonstrated promising preliminary clinical efficacy and safety data in ABC in combination with hormonal therapy. A Phase 3 study (VIKTORIA-1) evaluating gedatolisib plus fulvestrant with and without palbociclib is underway in patients with ABC. Citation Format: Stefano Rossetti, Aaron Broege, Adrish Sen, Salmaan Khan, Ian MacNeil, Jhomary Molden, Igor Gorbatchevsky, Brian F. Sullivan, Lance Laing. Gedatolisib, a pan-PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, shows superior potency and efficacy relative to other PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitors in breast cancer models [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO1-24-04.