Abstract 897: A novel fusion gene responsible for colon cancer drug resistance

Abstract

Abstract Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Patients with advanced colorectal cancer eventually succumb to the disease, despite the fact that some patients respond initially to therapies (chemotherapy and targeted therapy). Thus, identifying molecular mechanisms responsible for drug resistance will help design novel strategies to treat colorectal cancer. In this study, we identified a novel mechanism by which colorectal cancer cells acquired 5-FU resistance. Through exome sequencing, we discovered a novel fusion gene common in 5-FU-resistant colorectal cancer cells. This fusion gene, once ectopically expressed in the sensitive cancer cells, promotes drug resistance to 5-FU treatment. Further analyses have revealed a signaling network linking this fusion gene to drug resistance. Taken together, we have revealed a novel mechanism for drug resistance in colorectal cancer, which may be a novel target to overcome drug resistance in colorectal cancer. Citation Format: Jingwu Xie, Dongsheng Gu, Ruolan Song. A novel fusion gene responsible for colon cancer drug resistance [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 897.