Targeting KDM4 for treating PAX3-FOXO1–driven alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma

S Singh, A Abu-Zaid, H Jin, J Fang, Q Wu… - Science translational …, 2022 - science.org
S Singh, A Abu-Zaid, H Jin, J Fang, Q Wu, T Wang, H Feng, W Quarni, Y Shao, L Maxham…
Science translational medicine, 2022science.org
Chimeric transcription factors drive lineage-specific oncogenesis but are notoriously difficult
to target. Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is an aggressive childhood soft tissue
sarcoma transformed by the pathognomonic Paired Box 3–Forkhead Box O1 (PAX3-FOXO1)
fusion protein, which governs a core regulatory circuitry transcription factor network. Here,
we show that the histone lysine demethylase 4B (KDM4B) is a therapeutic vulnerability for
PAX3-FOXO1+ RMS. Genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of KDM4B substantially delayed …
Chimeric transcription factors drive lineage-specific oncogenesis but are notoriously difficult to target. Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is an aggressive childhood soft tissue sarcoma transformed by the pathognomonic Paired Box 3–Forkhead Box O1 (PAX3-FOXO1) fusion protein, which governs a core regulatory circuitry transcription factor network. Here, we show that the histone lysine demethylase 4B (KDM4B) is a therapeutic vulnerability for PAX3-FOXO1+ RMS. Genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of KDM4B substantially delayed tumor growth. Suppression of KDM4 proteins inhibited the expression of core oncogenic transcription factors and caused epigenetic alterations of PAX3-FOXO1–governed superenhancers. Combining KDM4 inhibition with cytotoxic chemotherapy led to tumor regression in preclinical PAX3-FOXO1+ RMS subcutaneous xenograft models. In summary, we identified a targetable mechanism required for maintenance of the PAX3-FOXO1–related transcription factor network, which may translate to a therapeutic approach for fusion-positive RMS.
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