Targeting the EWSR1-FLI1 oncogene-induced protein kinase PKC-β abolishes Ewing sarcoma growth

D Surdez, M Benetkiewicz, V Perrin, ZY Han, G Pierron… - Cancer research, 2012 - AACR
D Surdez, M Benetkiewicz, V Perrin, ZY Han, G Pierron, S Ballet, F Lamoureux, F Rédini…
Cancer research, 2012AACR
Ewing sarcoma is a rare but aggressive disease most common in young adults. This cancer
is driven by a unique chimeric fusion oncogene but targeted strategies have been elusive.
Here we report the identification of the protein kinase PKC-ß (PRKCB) as a disease-specific
druggable target for treatment of Ewing sarcoma. We found that transcriptional activation of
PRKCB was directly regulated by the chimeric fusion oncogene EWSR1-FLI1 that drives this
cancer. PRKCB phosphorylated histone H3T6 to permit global maintenance of H3K4 …
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is a rare but aggressive disease most common in young adults. This cancer is driven by a unique chimeric fusion oncogene but targeted strategies have been elusive. Here we report the identification of the protein kinase PKC-ß (PRKCB) as a disease-specific druggable target for treatment of Ewing sarcoma. We found that transcriptional activation of PRKCB was directly regulated by the chimeric fusion oncogene EWSR1-FLI1 that drives this cancer. PRKCB phosphorylated histone H3T6 to permit global maintenance of H3K4 trimethylation at a variety of gene promoters. PRKCB loss induced apoptosis in vitro and prevented tumor growth in vivo. Gene expression profiling revealed a strong overlap between genes modulated by EWSR1-FLI1 and PRKCB in regulating crucial signaling pathways. Taken together, our findings offer a preclinical proof-of-concept for PRKCB as a promising therapeutic target in Ewing sarcoma. Cancer Res; 72(17); 4494–503. ©2012 AACR.
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