Abstract 5966: PRT2527, a novel highly selective cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) inhibitor, has potent antitumor activity in combination with BTK and BCL2 inhibition in various lymphoid malignancies
Authors: Norman Fultang, Ashley M. Schwab, Sophia McAneny-Droz, Diane Heiser, Peggy Scherle, Neha Bhagwat
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract CDK9 is a master regulator of transcription that modulates transcription elongation via phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II. Short-term inhibition of CDK9 depletes short-lived transcripts and labile proteins such as MCL1, BFL1 and MYC to promote cancer cell death. We previously described PRT2527, a novel, potent, highly selective CDK9 inhibitor with anti-leukemic activity in various preclinical models. PRT2527 is currently under evaluation in a Phase I clinical trial in patients with relapsed/refractory hematologic malignancies (NCT05159518). Here we demonstrate PRT2527 potently inhibits cancer cell growth and induces cell death in various models of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), through depletion of MCL1, BFL1 and MYC. Specifically, we show that brief treatment with PRT2527 (6h) potently induces apoptosis and inhibits proliferation in DLBCL, MCL and CLL cell lines. We also show that the addition of BTK inhibitors (BTKi) or BCL2 inhibitors (BCL2i) potentiates the apoptosis response induced by PRT2527 in vitro and leads to more robust and durable responses including complete tumor regressions in DLBCL CDX and PDX models in vivo. In all studies, the combination of PRT2527 with BTKi or BCL2i is well tolerated. Mechanistically, we show that BTK inhibition upregulates BMF, an endogenous inhibitor of BCL2 and BCL-xL, driving cells towards MCL1 and BFL1 dependency in TMD-8 cells. Concurrent depletion of MCL1 and BFL1 with PRT2527 leads to complete inhibition of Bcl-2- family mediated survival signaling, potently inducing cell death. In similar fashion, Venetoclax-driven BCL2 inhibition also potentiates the anti-tumor activity of PRT2527. Consistent with these findings in vitro, we observe reduced BFL1 and MCL1 as well as increased BMF in tumors of mice treated with BTKi and PRT2527 suggesting complete Bcl-2 family inhibition. We also demonstrate potent induction of apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from patients with both treatment-naïve and relapse/refractory CLL following brief treatment with PRT2527 (6h). Co-treatment with BTKi or BCL2i further enhances the apoptotic effect of PRT2527, similarly suggesting combinatorial benefit. Additionally, we characterize the activity of PRT2527 in models of BTKi relapsed/refractory MCL where increased CDK9 dependency has previously been described. In an Ibrutinib-resistant Mino CDX model, we observe increased tumor growth inhibition following treatment with PRT2527 compared to tumors derived from parental Mino cells, suggesting PRT2527 is efficacious in BTKi-resistant MCL. Altogether these data provide a rationale for evaluating PRT2527 in combination with BTK and BCL2 inhibitors for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoid malignancies. Citation Format: Norman Fultang, Ashley M. Schwab, Sophia McAneny-Droz, Diane Heiser, Peggy Scherle, Neha Bhagwat. PRT2527, a novel highly selective cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) inhibitor, has potent antitumor activity in combination with BTK and BCL2 inhibition in various lymphoid malignancies [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 5966.