Leveraging patient derived models of FGFR2 fusion positive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma to identify synergistic therapies

Abstract Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains a deadly malignancy lacking systemic therapies for advanced disease. Recent advancements include selective FGFR1–3 inhibitors for the 15% of ICC patients harboring fusions, although survival is limited by poor response and resistance. Herein we...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Michael E. Lidsky, Zechen Wang, Min Lu, Annie Liu, S. David Hsu, Shannon J. McCall, Zhecheng Sheng, Joshua A. Granek, Kouros Owzar, Karen S. Anderson, Kris C. Wood
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2022-10-01
Series:npj Precision Oncology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41698-022-00320-5
Description
Summary:Abstract Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains a deadly malignancy lacking systemic therapies for advanced disease. Recent advancements include selective FGFR1–3 inhibitors for the 15% of ICC patients harboring fusions, although survival is limited by poor response and resistance. Herein we report generation of a patient-derived FGFR2 fusion-positive ICC model system consisting of a cell line, organoid, and xenograft, which have undergone complete histologic, genomic, and phenotypic characterization, including testing standard-of-care systemic therapies. Using these FGFR2 fusion-positive ICC models, we conducted an unbiased high-throughput small molecule screen to prioritize combination strategies with FGFR inhibition, from which HDAC inhibition together with pemigatinib was validated in vitro and in vivo as a synergistic therapy for ICC. Additionally, we demonstrate broad utility of the FGFR/HDAC combination for other FGFR fusion-positive solid tumors. These data are directly translatable and justify early phase trials to establish dosing, safety, and therapeutic efficacy of this synergistic combination.
ISSN:2397-768X