Abstract 3096: The RXR agonist MSU-42011 and the MEK inhibitor selumetinib reduce tumor burden by decreasing pERK levels and modulating immune cell populations within the NF1 tumor microenvironment
Authors: Pei-Yu Peggy Hung, Jessica A. Moerland, Karen T. Liby
Journal: Cancer Research (2025)

Abstract Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common genetic disease that predisposes approximately 50% of affected individuals to develop plexiform neurofibromas (PNFs), which can progress to highly aggressive malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) in approximately 10% of patients. NF1 is caused by mutations in the tumor suppressor gene NF1, which encodes for neurofibromin, a negative regulator of RAS activity. Selumetinib, a specific inhibitor of MEK1/2, is the only FDA-approved drug for NF1-associated PNFs. However, the anti-tumor effects of selumetinib are limited in MPNSTs, and the drug has dose-limiting side effects. Deficiency of the NF1 gene not only promotes tumorigenesis but also has broad effects on the immune cells and cytokine signaling driven by hyperactive RAS signaling. Because macrophages account for almost half of cells in NF1 lesions and their infiltration correlates with disease progression, we hypothesized that targeting tumor-promoting immune cells is an alternative approach for treating NF1. The novel retinoid X receptor (RXR) agonist MSU-42011 reduces tumor growth in experimental Kras-driven cancers by decreasing pERK expression, reducing tumor-promoting immune cells like CD206+ macrophages and regulatory T cells, and increasing activated cytotoxic T cells. Here, we treated NF1-deficient cells and macrophages with MSU-42011 and selumetinib, either alone or in combination, using monoculture and conditioned media (CM) conditions. In human PNF and mouse MPNST cells, treatment with 200 nM MSU-40211 or 50 nM selumetinib for 3 hours reduced pERK protein levels compared to untreated controls, and the combination treatment enhanced this reduction in pERK protein levels. Additionally, there was a trend toward reduction in cell viability with increasing drug concentrations after 72 hours of the combination treatment. Moreover, CM from human and mouse PNF cells increased the mRNA expression of monocyte chemoattractant CCL2 and the secretion of IL-6 and TNFα in human THP1 monocytes/macrophages and bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDM). Notably, MSU-42011 and selumetinib alone inhibited CCL2 mRNA expression in THP1 macrophages and BMDM stimulated with CM from human and mouse PNF cells, respectively, and the inhibition of CCL2 mRNA expression was greatest with the combination treatment. The combination of MSU42011 and selumetinib also significantly reduced tumor growth and reduced pERK levels and tumor-promoting CD206+ macrophages in both a LL2 model of lung cancer driven by an activating Kras mutation and a syngeneic mouse model of MPNST. Based on the similarities in RAS activation and immune cell infiltration in NF1 and lung cancer, our next step is to confirm the immunomodulatory and anti-tumor effects of MSU-42011 and selumetinib in a genetically engineered model of PNF and MPNST. Citation Format: Pei-Yu Peggy Hung, Jessica A. Moerland, Karen T. Liby. The RXR agonist MSU-42011 and the MEK inhibitor selumetinib reduce tumor burden by decreasing pERK levels and modulating immune cell populations within the NF1 tumor microenvironment [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 3096.