Abstract B16: Synthetic lethality by targeting EZH2 methyltransferase activity in ARID1A-mutated ovarian cancers.

Abstract

Abstract ARID1A, a chromatin remodeler, shows one of the highest mutation rates across many cancer types. Notably, ARID1A is mutated in ~50% of ovarian clear cell carcinomas and ~30% of ovarian endometrioid carcinomas. To date, clinically applicable targeted cancer therapy based on ARID1A mutational status has not been described. Here we show that inhibition of the EZH2 methyltransferase acts in a synthetic lethal manner in ARID1A mutated ovarian cancer cells. ARID1A mutational status correlates with response to the EZH2 inhibitor. We identified PIK3IP1 as a direct ARID1A/EZH2 target, which is upregulated by EZH2 inhibition and contributes to the observed synthetic lethality by inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling. Significantly, EZH2 inhibition causes regression of ARID1A mutated, but not wild-type, ovarian tumors in vivo. Together, these data demonstrate for the first time a synthetic lethality between ARID1A mutation and EZH2 inhibition. They indicate that pharmacological inhibition of EZH2 represents an urgently needed, novel treatment strategy for ARID1A mutated ovarian cancers. Citation Format: Benjamin Bitler, Ie-Ming Shih, Rugang Zhang. Synthetic lethality by targeting EZH2 methyltransferase activity in ARID1A-mutated ovarian cancers. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Ovarian Cancer Research: Exploiting Vulnerabilities; Oct 17-20, 2015; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2016;22(2 Suppl):Abstract nr B16.