METHODS OF IDENTIFYING DRUG-MODULATED POLYPEPTIDE TARGETS FOR DEGRADATION
In one aspect, the invention features a method for identifying a drug-modulated polypeptide substrate of cereblon (CRBN). In another aspect, the invention features a method of identifying a polypeptide target of a modulator of CRBN. In yet another aspect, the invention provides methods of monitoring or characterizing the sensitivity of a subject to a modulator of CRBN.
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This application is a divisional of application U.S. Ser. No. 15/759,168, filed on Mar. 9, 2018, which is the U.S. national phase application, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 371, of International PCT Application No.: PCT/US2016/051035, filed on Sep. 9, 2016, designating the United States and published in English, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 62/258,929, filed Nov. 23, 2015 and 62/217,476, filed Sep. 11, 2015, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHThis invention was made with government support under Grant No. P01 CA066996 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The government has certain rights in the invention.
SEQUENCE LISTINGThe instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted electronically in ASCII format and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The ASCII copy of the Sequence Listing, created on Sep. 29, 2016, is named 167741_011102PCT_SL.txt and is 74,577 bytes in size.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe drug thalidomide became infamous in the early 1960s when its use during the first trimester of pregnancy was linked to profound birth defects, most commonly a malformation of the upper limbs known as phocomelia. The discovery of thalidomide's teratogenic property was a major setback for the compound. However, thalidomide was later repurposed and is currently an FDA-approved therapy for a number of disorders, including erythema nodosum leparum, 5q-myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and the plasma cell malignancy multiple myeloma. Thalidomide's success as a treatment for these disorders motivated the synthesis of lenalidomide and pomalidomide, more potent derivatives which have largely replaced thalidomide in the treatment of 5q-MDS and multiple myeloma. It is therefore important to identify additional potentially therapeutically relevant targets of thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide to improve clinical use of these drugs. Further, it is important to detect resistance to these drugs in patients, particularly at an early stage of a disease, so that alternate forms of therapy can be provided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAs described below, the present invention features methods of identifying drug-modulated polypeptide targets for cereblon (CRBN)-mediated degradation, particularly lenalidomide- or lenalidomide analog-modulated substrates of CRBN. The present invention also features methods of characterizing and/or monitoring sensitivity of a subject to a modulator of CRBN.
In one aspect, the invention provides a method of identifying a cell resistant to a modulator of CRBN, the method comprising detecting the sequence of a region in a IKZF3 polynucleotide relative to a IKZF3 reference sequence, wherein the region encodes amino acids 146-168 of a IKZF3 polypeptide in the cell, and wherein detection of a mutation in the region indicates the cell is resistant to a modulator of CRBN.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method of characterizing the sensitivity of a subject to a modulator of CRBN, the method comprising detecting the sequence of a region in an IKZF3 polynucleotide in a biological sample obtained from the subject relative to a IKZF3 reference sequence, wherein the region encodes amino acids 146-168 of a IKZF3 polypeptide, and wherein detection of a mutation in the region is indicative of resistance to a modulator of CRBN and failure to detect a mutation is indicative of sensitivity to a modulator of CRBN.
In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of monitoring sensitivity of a subject to a modulator of CRBN, the method comprising detecting the sequence of a region in an IKZF3 polynucleotide in a biological sample obtained from the subject relative to a IKZF3 reference sequence, wherein the region encodes amino acids 146-168 of a IKZF3 polypeptide, and wherein detection of a mutation in the region is indicative of resistance to a modulator of CRBN and failure to detect a mutation is indicative of sensitivity to a modulator of CRBN.
In still another aspect, the invention provides a method of monitoring sensitivity of a subject to a modulator of CRBN, the method comprising (a) administering to the subject an amount of lenalidomide or lenalidomide analog; and (b) detecting the sequence of a region in an IKZF3 polynucleotide in a biological sample obtained from the subject relative to a IKZF3 reference sequence, wherein the region encodes amino acids 146-168 of a IKZF3 polypeptide, and wherein detection of a mutation in the region is indicative of resistance to a modulator of CRBN and failure to detect a mutation is indicative of sensitivity to a modulator of CRBN.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method of selecting a subject for treatment with an alternative to a modulator of CRBN, the method comprising detecting the sequence of a region in an IKZF3 polynucleotide in a biological sample obtained from the subject relative to a IKZF3 reference sequence, wherein the region encodes amino acids 146-168 of a IKZF3 polypeptide, wherein a subject having a mutation in the region is selected for treatment with an alternative to a modulator of CRBN.
In various embodiments of any of the aspects delineated herein, the mutation is at amino acid position 147, 148, 151, 152, 153, 155, 161, 164, or 168. In various embodiments, the sequence of the region in the IKZF3 polynucleotide is detected by sequencing or probe hybridization.
In various embodiments of any of the aspects delineated herein, the subject has a B cell neoplasia or related condition. In various embodiments, the B cell neoplasia or related condition is a plasma cell malignancy multiple myeloma or a myelodysplastic syndrome. In various embodiments, the biological sample is blood.
In yet another aspect, the invention provides a kit comprising a reagent detecting the sequence of a polynucleotide encoding amino acids 146-168 of an IKZF3 polypeptide. In various embodiments, the reagent is a sequencing primer or hybridization probe.
In still another aspect, the invention provides a method of identifying increased degradation of a polypeptide in a cell when the cell is contacted with a modulator of CRBN, the method comprising detecting in a polypeptide a sequence substantially identical to a IKZF3 zinc finger comprising amino acids 146-168 of IKZF3, wherein presence of the sequence indicates increased degradation of the polypeptide when the cell is contacted with a modulator of CRBN.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method of identifying a drug-modulated polypeptide substrate of CRBN, the method comprising detecting a sequence substantially identical to an IKZF3 zinc finger comprising amino acids 146-168 of IKZF3 in a candidate polypeptide, wherein presence of the sequence indicates the candidate polypeptide is a drug-modulated polypeptide substrate of CRBN.
In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of identifying a polypeptide target of a modulator of CRBN, the method comprising detecting a sequence substantially identical to an IKZF3 zinc finger comprising amino acids 146-168 of IKZF3 in a candidate polypeptide, wherein presence of the sequence indicates the candidate polypeptide is a polypeptide target of a modulator of CRBN.
In still another aspect, the invention provides a method of depleting a polypeptide in a cell, the method comprising contacting the cell with a modulator of CRBN, wherein the polypeptide is identified as having a sequence substantially identical to an IKZF3 zinc finger comprising amino acids 146-168 of IKZF3 in the polypeptide, thereby depleting the polypeptide in the cell.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method of depleting a polypeptide in a cell, the method comprising (a) fusing to the polypeptide a second polypeptide comprising a sequence substantially identical to a IKZF3 zinc finger comprising amino acids 146-168 of IKZF3; and (b) contacting the cell with a modulator of CRBN, thereby depleting the polypeptide in the cell.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method of identifying a drug-modulated polypeptide substrate of CRBN. The method contains the step of detecting a sequence substantially identical to a sequence of any one or more of the sequences of amino acids 146-168 of IKZF3, amino acids 149-172 of RNF166, amino acids 417-439 of ZNF692, and amino acids 400-422 of ZFP91, where presence of the sequence indicates the candidate polypeptide is a drug-modulated polypeptide substrate of CRBN.
In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of identifying a drug-modulated polypeptide substrate of CRBN. The method contains the step of detecting a sequence substantially identical to any one or more of the sequences:
where presence of the sequence indicates that the candidate polypeptide is a drug-modulated polypeptide substrate of CRBN.
In various embodiments of any of the aspects delineated herein, the sequence comprises a C2H2 zinc finger sequence. In various embodiments, the C2H2 zinc finger sequence corresponding to amino acids 147, 152, and 153 in the IKZF3 zinc finger comprise Gln, Gly, or Ala. In various embodiments of any of the aspects delineated herein, the polypeptide is IKZF3, IKZF1, CSNK1a1, RNF166, ZNF692, or ZFP91. In various embodiments, the increased degradation is mediated by CRBN.
In various embodiments, the drug is lenalidomide, thalidomide, or pomalidomide. In various embodiments, the polypeptide substrate or polypeptide target is degraded by CRBN-mediated degradation in a cell when the cell is contacted with a modulator of CRBN. In various embodiments of any of the aspects delineated herein, the polypeptide is depleted by CRBN-mediated degradation of the polypeptide. In various embodiments of any of the aspects delineated herein, the modulator of CRBN is lenalidomide, thalidomide, or pomalidomide.
Compositions and articles defined by the invention were isolated or otherwise manufactured in connection with the examples provided below. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description, and from the claims.
DefinitionsUnless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the meaning commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The following references provide one of skill with a general definition of many of the terms used in this invention: Singleton et al., Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology (2nd ed. 1994); The Cambridge Dictionary of Science and Technology (Walker ed., 1988); The Glossary of Genetics, 5th Ed., R. Rieger et al. (eds.), Springer Verlag (1991); and Hale & Marham, The Harper Collins Dictionary of Biology (1991). As used herein, the following terms have the meanings ascribed to them below, unless specified otherwise.
By “agent” is meant any small molecule chemical compound, antibody, nucleic acid molecule, or polypeptide, or fragments thereof.
By “ameliorate” is meant decrease, suppress, attenuate, diminish, arrest, or stabilize the development or progression of a disease.
By “alteration” is meant a change (increase or decrease) in the expression levels or activity of a gene or polypeptide as detected by standard art known methods such as those described herein. As used herein, an alteration includes a 10% change in expression or activity levels, preferably a 25% change, more preferably a 40% change, and most preferably a 50% or greater change in expression or activity levels.
By “analog” is meant a molecule that is not identical, but has analogous functional or structural features. For example, a polypeptide analog retains the biological activity of a corresponding naturally-occurring polypeptide, while having certain biochemical modifications that enhance the analog's function relative to a naturally occurring polypeptide. Such biochemical modifications could increase the analog's protease resistance, membrane permeability, or half-life, without altering, for example, ligand binding. An analog may include an unnatural amino acid. Lenalidomide analogs include, but are not limited to, thalidomide or pomalidomide.
By “biological sample” is meant any liquid, cell, or tissue obtained from a subject.
By “biomarker” or “marker” is meant any protein or polynucleotide having an alteration in expression level or activity that is associated with a disease or disorder.
By “B cell neoplasia” is meant any neoplasia arising from a B-cell progenitor or other cell of B cell lineage. In particular embodiments, a B cell neoplasia arises from a cell type undergoing B cell differentiation. In other embodiments, a B cell neoplasia includes plasma cells.
In this disclosure, “comprises,” “comprising,” “containing” and “having” and the like can have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent law and can mean “includes,” “including,” and the like; “consisting essentially of” or “consists essentially” likewise has the meaning ascribed in U.S. Patent law and the term is open-ended, allowing for the presence of more than that which is recited so long as basic or novel characteristics of that which is recited is not changed by the presence of more than that which is recited, but excludes prior art embodiments.
By “CSNK1a1 polypeptide” or “casein kinase 1A1 polypeptide” is meant a polypeptide having at least about 85% or greater identity to Unit Pro Accession No. P48729-1 or P48729-2 (having a phosphor serine at position 156), or a fragment thereof, and having kinase activity. An exemplary CSNK1a1 polypeptide sequence is provided below (SEQ ID NO: 5).
By “CSNK1a1 polynucleotide” or “casein kinase 1A1 polynucleotide” is meant a polynucleotide encoding a casein kinase 1A1 polypeptide. An exemplary CSNK1a1 polynucleotide sequence is provided at NCBI Accession No. NM_001025105. The sequence is provided below (SEQ ID NO: 6).
By “C2H2 zinc finger sequence” or “C2H2 zinc finger motif” is meant a sequence of amino acids which typically includes two conserved cysteines and two conserved histidine residues. The two conserved cysteines and two conserved histidines co-ordinate a zinc ion, although other combinations of cysteine/histidine as the zinc-chelating residues are possible. For example, in IKZF3, the cysteines at positions 148 and 151 and histidines at positions 164 and 168 are indicative of a C2H2 zinc finger motif.
By “CRBN polypeptide” or “Cereblon” is meant a polypeptide or fragment thereof having at least 85% amino acid sequence identity to NCBI Accession No. AAH67811.1 or NP_001166953.1 and having IKZF3 binding activity. Exemplary CRBN polypeptide sequences are provided below:
By “CRBN polynucleotide” is meant a nucleic acid molecule encoding a CRBN polypeptide. An exemplary CRBN polynucleotide sequence is provided at NCBI Accession No. BC067811, which is reproduced below (SEQ ID NO: 9):
As used herein, a “degron” or “degron sequence” refers to an amino acid sequence in a polypeptide that is both necessary and sufficient for targeting by the polypeptide's cognate ubiquitin ligase. In one embodiment, the degron of the IKZF3 polypeptide is amino acids 146-168 of IKZF3.
“Detect” refers to identifying the presence, absence or amount of the analyte to be detected.
By “detectable label” is meant a composition that when linked to a molecule of interest renders the latter detectable, via spectroscopic, photochemical, biochemical, immunochemical, or chemical means. For example, useful labels include radioactive isotopes, magnetic beads, metallic beads, colloidal particles, fluorescent dyes, electron-dense reagents, enzymes (for example, as commonly used in an ELISA), biotin, digoxigenin, or haptens.
By “disease” is meant any condition or disorder that damages or interferes with the normal function of a cell, tissue, or organ. Examples of diseases, include B cell neoplasia or other malignancies, for example, plasma cell malignancy, multiple myeloma or a myelodysplastic syndrome, erythema nodosum leparum, 5q-myelodysplastic syndrome.
By “effective amount” is meant the amount of a required to ameliorate the symptoms of a disease relative to an untreated patient. The effective amount of active compound(s) used to practice the present invention for therapeutic treatment of a disease varies depending upon the manner of administration, the age, body weight, and general health of the subject. Ultimately, the attending physician or veterinarian will decide the appropriate amount and dosage regimen. Such amount is referred to as an “effective” amount.
By “fragment” is meant a portion of a polypeptide or nucleic acid molecule. This portion contains, preferably, at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% of the entire length of the reference nucleic acid molecule or polypeptide. A fragment may contain 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, or 1000 nucleotides or amino acids.
“Hybridization” means hydrogen bonding, which may be Watson-Crick, Hoogsteen or reversed Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding, between complementary nucleobases. For example, adenine and thymine are complementary nucleobases that pair through the formation of hydrogen bonds.
By “IKZF1 polypeptide” or “Ikaros” is meant a polypeptide having at least about 85% amino acid sequence identity to a sequence provided at NCBI Accession No. AAH18349, NP_006051, NP_001207694, or a fragment thereof and having DNA binding or transcriptional regulatory activity.
For IKZF1 Isoform 1, the degron is from 130-270. For IKZF1 Isoform 2, the degron is from amino acid 136-180/236-249. Both isoforms are responsive to lenalidomide. Exemplary amino acid sequences for the two isoforms are provided below:
By “IKZF1 polynucleotide” is meant a polynucleotide encoding an IKZF1 polypeptide. An exemplary IKZF1 polynucleotide is provided at NM_006060.4 and reproduced below (SEQ ID NO: 12):
By “IKZF3 polypeptide” or “Aiolos” is meant a polypeptide having at least about 85% amino acid sequence identity to NCBI Accession No. NP_036613.2 (UnitPro Identifier No. Q9UKT9-1) or a fragment thereof and having DNA binding or transcriptional regulatory activity. An exemplary amino acid sequence of IKZF3 is provided below (SEQ ID NO: 13).
By “IKZF3 polynucleotide” or “Aiolos polynucleotide” is meant a nucleic acid sequence encoding an IKZF3 polypeptide. An exemplary polynucleotide sequence is provided at NCBI Accession No. NM_012481, which is reproduced below (SEQ ID NO: 14):
The terms “isolated,” “purified,” or “biologically pure” refer to material that is free to varying degrees from components which normally accompany it as found in its native state. “Isolate” denotes a degree of separation from original source or surroundings. “Purify” denotes a degree of separation that is higher than isolation. A “purified” or “biologically pure” protein is sufficiently free of other materials such that any impurities do not materially affect the biological properties of the protein or cause other adverse consequences. That is, a nucleic acid or peptide of this invention is purified if it is substantially free of cellular material, viral material, or culture medium when produced by recombinant DNA techniques, or chemical precursors or other chemicals when chemically synthesized. Purity and homogeneity are typically determined using analytical chemistry techniques, for example, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or high performance liquid chromatography. The term “purified” can denote that a nucleic acid or protein gives rise to essentially one band in an electrophoretic gel. For a protein that can be subjected to modifications, for example, phosphorylation or glycosylation, different modifications may give rise to different isolated proteins, which can be separately purified.
By “isolated polynucleotide” is meant a nucleic acid (e.g., a DNA) that is free of the genes which, in the naturally-occurring genome of the organism from which the nucleic acid molecule of the invention is derived, flank the gene. The term therefore includes, for example, a recombinant DNA that is incorporated into a vector; into an autonomously replicating plasmid or virus; or into the genomic DNA of a prokaryote or eukaryote; or that exists as a separate molecule (for example, a cDNA or a genomic or cDNA fragment produced by PCR or restriction endonuclease digestion) independent of other sequences. In addition, the term includes an RNA molecule that is transcribed from a DNA molecule, as well as a recombinant DNA that is part of a hybrid gene encoding additional polypeptide sequence.
By an “isolated polypeptide” is meant a polypeptide of the invention that has been separated from components that naturally accompany it. Typically, the polypeptide is isolated when it is at least 60%, by weight, free from the proteins and naturally-occurring organic molecules with which it is naturally associated. Preferably, the preparation is at least 75%, more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 99%, by weight, a polypeptide of the invention. An isolated polypeptide of the invention may be obtained, for example, by extraction from a natural source, by expression of a recombinant nucleic acid encoding such a polypeptide; or by chemically synthesizing the protein. Purity can be measured by any appropriate method, for example, column chromatography, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, or by HPLC analysis.
By “sensitivity to a modulator of CRBN” is meant that at least one symptom of a disease or condition is ameliorated by treatment with a modulator of CRBN.
By “resistant to a modulator of CRBN” is meant that a cell having a disease has acquired an alteration that allows it to escape an anti-disease effect of at least one modulator of CRBN. For example, a resistant cell may be a neoplastic cell that has acquired an alteration that allows it to escape an anti-neoplastic effect of the modulator of CRBN. Exemplary anti-neoplastic effects include, but are not limited to, any effect that reduces proliferation, reduces survival, and/or increases cell death (e.g., increases apoptosis).
By “lenalidomide sensitivity” is meant that at least one symptom of a disease or condition is ameliorated by treatment with lenalidomide. Likewise, by “lenalidomide analog sensitivity” is meant at least one symptom of a disease or condition is ameliorated by treatment with a lenalidomide analog.
By “lenalidomide resistant” is meant that a cell having a disease has acquired an alteration that allows it to escape an anti-disease effect of lenalidomide. Likewise, by “lenalidomide analog resistant” is meant that a cell having a disease has acquired an alteration that allows it to escape an anti-disease effect of a lenalidomide analog. For example, a lenalidomide resistant cell may be a neoplastic cell that has acquired an alteration that allows it to escape an anti-neoplastic effect of lenalidomide. Exemplary anti-neoplastic effects include, but are not limited to, any effect that reduces proliferation, reduces survival, and/or increases cell death (e.g., increases apoptosis).
By “modulator of CRBN” or “modulator of Cereblon” is meant any agent which binds Cereblon (CRBN) and alters an activity of CRBN. In some embodiments, an activity of CRBN includes binding with and/or mediating degradation of Ikaros (IKZF1), Aiolos (IKZF3), or Casein kinase 1 Alpha (CSNK1a1). Thus, a modulator of CRBN includes agents that alter binding of CRBN with IKZF1, IKZF3, or CSNK1a1 and agents that alter CRBN's mediation of IKZF1, IKZF3, or CSNK1a1 degradation. In particular embodiments, a modulator of CRBN is lenalidomide or an analog thereof (e.g., pomalidomide or thalidomide).
As used herein, “obtaining” as in “obtaining an agent” includes synthesizing, purchasing, or otherwise acquiring the agent.
As used herein, the terms “prevent,” “preventing,” “prevention,” “prophylactic treatment” and the like refer to reducing the probability of developing a disorder or condition in a subject, who does not have, but is at risk of or susceptible to developing a disorder or condition.
By “reduces” is meant a negative alteration of at least 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100%.
By “reference” is meant a standard or controlled condition.
A “reference sequence” is a defined sequence used as a basis for sequence comparison. A reference sequence may be a subset of or the entirety of a specified sequence; for example, a segment of a full-length cDNA or gene sequence, or the complete cDNA or gene sequence. For polypeptides, the length of the reference polypeptide sequence will generally be at least about 16 amino acids, preferably at least about 20 amino acids, more preferably at least about 25 amino acids, and even more preferably about 35 amino acids, about 50 amino acids, or about 100 amino acids. For nucleic acids, the length of the reference nucleic acid sequence will generally be at least about 50 nucleotides, preferably at least about 60 nucleotides, more preferably at least about 75 nucleotides, and even more preferably about 100 nucleotides or about 300 nucleotides or any integer thereabout or therebetween.
By “RNF166 polypeptide” is meant a polypeptide or fragment thereof having at least 85% amino acid sequence identity to NCBI Accession Nos. NP_849163, NP_001165286, or NP_001165287 (various isoforms) and having a C2H2 zinc finger targeted by lenalidomide or a lenalidomide analog. An exemplary RNF166 polypeptide sequence provided at NCBI Accession No. NP 849163 is provided below (SEQ ID NO: 15):
By “RNF166 polynucleotide” is meant a nucleic acid sequence encoding an RNF166 polypeptide. An exemplary polynucleotide sequence is provided at NCBI Accession No. NM_178841, which is reproduced below (SEQ ID NO: 16):
By “specifically binds” is meant a compound or antibody that recognizes and binds a polypeptide of the invention, but which does not substantially recognize and bind other molecules in a sample, for example, a biological sample, which naturally includes a polypeptide of the invention.
Nucleic acid molecules useful in the methods of the invention include any nucleic acid molecule that encodes a polypeptide of the invention or a fragment thereof. Such nucleic acid molecules need not be 100% identical with an endogenous nucleic acid sequence, but will typically exhibit substantial identity. Polynucleotides having “substantial identity” to an endogenous sequence are typically capable of hybridizing with at least one strand of a double-stranded nucleic acid molecule. Nucleic acid molecules useful in the methods of the invention include any nucleic acid molecule that encodes a polypeptide of the invention or a fragment thereof. Such nucleic acid molecules need not be 100% identical with an endogenous nucleic acid sequence, but will typically exhibit substantial identity. Polynucleotides having “substantial identity” to an endogenous sequence are typically capable of hybridizing with at least one strand of a double-stranded nucleic acid molecule. By “hybridize” is meant pair to form a double-stranded molecule between complementary polynucleotide sequences (e.g., a gene described herein), or portions thereof, under various conditions of stringency. (See, e.g., Wahl, G. M. and S. L. Berger (1987) Methods Enzymol. 152:399; Kimmel, A. R. (1987) Methods Enzymol. 152:507).
For example, stringent salt concentration will ordinarily be less than about 750 mM NaCl and 75 mM trisodium citrate, preferably less than about 500 mM NaCl and 50 mM trisodium citrate, and more preferably less than about 250 mM NaCl and 25 mM trisodium citrate. Low stringency hybridization can be obtained in the absence of organic solvent, e.g., formamide, while high stringency hybridization can be obtained in the presence of at least about 35% formamide, and more preferably at least about 50% formamide. Stringent temperature conditions will ordinarily include temperatures of at least about 30° C., more preferably of at least about 37° C., and most preferably of at least about 42° C. Varying additional parameters, such as hybridization time, the concentration of detergent, e.g., sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and the inclusion or exclusion of carrier DNA, are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Various levels of stringency are accomplished by combining these various conditions as needed. In a preferred embodiment, hybridization will occur at 30° C. in 750 mM NaCl, 75 mM trisodium citrate, and 1% SDS. In a more preferred embodiment, hybridization will occur at 37° C. in 500 mM NaCl, 50 mM trisodium citrate, 1% SDS, 35% formamide, and 100 μg/ml denatured salmon sperm DNA (ssDNA). In a most preferred embodiment, hybridization will occur at 42° C. in 250 mM NaCl, 25 mM trisodium citrate, 1% SDS, 50% formamide, and 200 μg/ml ssDNA. Useful variations on these conditions will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
For most applications, washing steps that follow hybridization will also vary in stringency. Wash stringency conditions can be defined by salt concentration and by temperature. As above, wash stringency can be increased by decreasing salt concentration or by increasing temperature. For example, stringent salt concentration for the wash steps will preferably be less than about 30 mM NaCl and 3 mM trisodium citrate, and most preferably less than about 15 mM NaCl and 1.5 mM trisodium citrate. Stringent temperature conditions for the wash steps will ordinarily include a temperature of at least about 25° C., more preferably of at least about 42° C., and even more preferably of at least about 68° C. In a preferred embodiment, wash steps will occur at 25° C. in 30 mM NaCl, 3 mM trisodium citrate, and 0.1% SDS. In a more preferred embodiment, wash steps will occur at 42 C in 15 mM NaCl, 1.5 mM trisodium citrate, and 0.1% SDS. In a more preferred embodiment, wash steps will occur at 68° C. in 15 mM NaCl, 1.5 mM trisodium citrate, and 0.1% SDS. Additional variations on these conditions will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Hybridization techniques are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. and are described, for example, in Benton and Davis (Science 196:180, 1977); Grunstein and Hogness (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 72:3961, 1975); Ausubel et al. (Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Wiley Interscience, New York, 2001); Berger and Kimmel (Guide to Molecular Cloning Techniques, 1987, Academic Press, New York); and Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York.
By “substantially identical” is meant a polypeptide or nucleic acid molecule exhibiting at least 50% identity to a reference amino acid sequence (for example, any one of the amino acid sequences described herein) or nucleic acid sequence (for example, any one of the nucleic acid sequences described herein). Preferably, such a sequence is at least 60%, more preferably 80% or 85%, and more preferably 90%, 95% or even 99% identical at the amino acid level or nucleic acid to the sequence used for comparison.
Sequence identity is typically measured using sequence analysis software (for example, Sequence Analysis Software Package of the Genetics Computer Group, University of Wisconsin Biotechnology Center, 1710 University Avenue, Madison, Wis. 53705, BLAST, BESTFIT, GAP, or PILEUP/PRETTYBOX programs). Such software matches identical or similar sequences by assigning degrees of homology to various substitutions, deletions, and/or other modifications. Conservative substitutions typically include substitutions within the following groups: glycine, alanine; valine, isoleucine, leucine; aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, glutamine; serine, threonine; lysine, arginine; and phenylalanine, tyrosine. In an exemplary approach to determining the degree of identity, a BLAST program may be used, with a probability score between e−3 and e−100 indicating a closely related sequence.
By “subject” is meant a mammal, including, but not limited to, a human or non-human mammal, such as a bovine, equine, canine, ovine, or feline.
Ranges provided herein are understood to be shorthand for all of the values within the range. For example, a range of 1 to 50 is understood to include any number, combination of numbers, or sub-range from the group consisting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, or 50.
As used herein, the terms “treat,” “treating,” “treatment,” and the like refer to reducing or ameliorating a disorder and/or symptoms associated therewith. It will be appreciated that, although not precluded, treating a disorder or condition does not require that the disorder, condition or symptoms associated therewith be completely eliminated.
By “ZFP91 polypeptide” is meant a polypeptide or fragment thereof having at least 85% amino acid sequence identity to NCBI Accession No. NP_444251 or NP_001183980 (various isoforms) and and having a C2H2 zinc finger targeted by lenalidomide or a lenalidomide analog. An exemplary ZFP91 polypeptide sequence provided at NCBI Accession No. NP_444251 is reproduced below (SEQ ID NO: 17):
By “ZFP91 polynucleotide” is meant a nucleic acid sequence encoding an ZFP91 polypeptide. An exemplary polynucleotide sequence is provided at NCBI Accession No. NM_053023, which is reproduced below (SEQ ID NO: 18):
By “ZNF692 polypeptide” is meant a polypeptide or fragment thereof having at least 85% amino acid sequence identity to NCBI Accession No. NP_001129508, NP_060335, or NP_001180257 (various isoforms) and and having a C2H2 zinc finger targeted by lenalidomide or a lenalidomide analog. An exemplary ZNF692 polypeptide sequence provided at NCBI Accession No. NP 001129508 is reproduced below (SEQ ID NO: 19):
By “ZNF692 polynucleotide” is meant a nucleic acid sequence encoding an ZNF692 polypeptide. An exemplary polynucleotide sequence is provided at NCBI Accession No. NM_001136036, which is reproduced below (SEQ ID NO: 20):
Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, the term “or” is understood to be inclusive. Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, the terms “a”, “an”, and “the” are understood to be singular or plural.
Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, the term “about” is understood as within a range of normal tolerance in the art, for example within 2 standard deviations of the mean. About can be understood as within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless otherwise clear from context, all numerical values provided herein are modified by the term about.
The recitation of a listing of chemical groups in any definition of a variable herein includes definitions of that variable as any single group or combination of listed groups. The recitation of an embodiment for a variable or aspect herein includes that embodiment as any single embodiment or in combination with any other embodiments or portions thereof.
Any compositions or methods provided herein can be combined with one or more of any of the other compositions and methods provided herein.
The invention features methods that are useful for identifying proteins degraded in a CRL4-CRBN-dependent fashion by thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide on the basis of their amino acid sequence.
The invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery of a degron sequence; an amino acid sequence within Aiolos (IKZF3) that mediates its association with thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide in complex with cereblon, the substrate receptor for the CRL4-CRBN E3 ubiquitin ligase. The discovery of the degron sequence in Aiolos (IKZF3) was achieved by means of a functional, comprehensive saturating mutagenesis screen of amino acids 130-189 in Aiolos (IKZF3). The amino acids identified fall within a zinc finger motif in Aiolos, suggesting that these compounds may target other transcription factors containing zinc finger motifs. Indeed, at least three other zinc-finger-containing proteins (RNF166, ZFP91, and ZNF692) have been preliminarily confirmed via multiple methods to be targets of these compounds. These findings indicate that the structural motif identified in the primary screen can be used to identify additional, potentially therapeutically relevant targets of these compounds.
It has recently been understood that this family of compounds derive their therapeutic properties from their unique ability to enforce degradation of several protein targets by the CRL4-CRBN E3 ubiquitin ligase. Specifically, these drugs are known to cause CRL4-CRBN-dependent ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of the transcription factors Ikaros (IKZF1) and Aiolos (IKZF3), as well as Casein Kinase 1 Alpha (CSNK1a1). While the degradation of these targets explains the drugs' therapeutic efficacy in multiple myeloma and 5q-MDS, there are a number of cellular and clinical phenotypes elicited by thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide which cannot yet be explained by the depletion of these proteins. Examples would include their sedative properties, teratogenicity, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Improved understanding of the mechanism through which these drugs function has provided knowledge necessary to design molecular technologies capable of identifying additional, potentially therapeutically relevant proteins which are degraded by thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide. The identification of novel protein targets of these compounds could provide a molecular basis for the numerous cellular and clinical phenotypes which these drugs elicit, broaden the spectrum of disorders which may benefit from their use, and facilitate medicinal chemistry efforts to design more specific and potent compounds. The newly appreciated mechanism of action of thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide has also provided a context allowing understanding and detection of resistance to these drugs in patients, particularly at an early stage of a disease, thereby facilitating expedient and rational choice of alternate therapies.
Lenalidomide- and Lenalidomide Analog-Dependent Mediation of Proteasomal DegradationThe drug thalidomide became infamous in the early 1960s when its use during the first trimester of pregnancy was linked to profound birth defects, most commonly a malformation of the upper limbs known as phocomelia. The discovery of thalidomide's teratogenic property was a major setback for the compound, however thalidomide was later repurposed and today is an FDA-approved therapy for a number of disorders, including erythema nodosum leparum, 5q-myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and the plasma cell malignancy multiple myeloma. Thalidomide's success as a treatment for these disorders motivated the synthesis of lenalidomide and pomalidomide, more potent derivatives which have largely replaced thalidomide in the treatment of 5q-MDS and multiple myeloma (
Despite their clinical success, the mechanism behind the therapeutic benefit of thalidomide and its derivatives remained a mystery for over a decade. It is now understood that these drugs function by mediating efficient proteasomal degradation of several protein targets by the CRL4-CRBN E3 ubiquitin ligase. These targets include the lymphocyte lineage transcription factors Ikaros (IKZF1) and Aiolos (IKZF3), as well as the Wnt pathway regulator Casein Kinase 1 alpha (CSNK1a1). The CRL4-CRBN ubiquitin ligase belongs to the family of cullin-ring ligases and is a multi-subunit complex comprised of Ring Box Protein 1 (RBX1), DNA Damage Binding Protein 1 (DDB1), Cullin 4A (CUL4A), and Cereblon (CRBN). Thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide bind specifically to cereblon, the substrate receptor for CRL4-CRBN. In doing so, these drugs increase Cereblon's affinity for Ikaros (IKZF1), Aiolos (IKZF3), and Casein Kinase 1 alpha (CSNK1a1). As a consequence of their increased association with the CRL4-CRBN ubiquitin ligase complex, these factors are efficiently ubiquitinated and degraded by the 26S proteasome (
The present invention features methods that are useful for identifying proteins degraded in a CRL4-CRBN-dependent fashion by thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide on the basis of their amino acid sequence. In other aspects, the present invention features a method of depleting a polypeptide in a cell, the method comprising (a) detecting or fusing an IKFZ3 sequence to the polypeptide; and (b) contacting the cell with lenalidomide or a lenalidomide analog, degrading the target polypeptide in the cell. The methods of the present invention are based, at least in part, on the discovery of an amino acid sequence within Aiolos (IKZF3) that mediates its association with thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide in complex with cereblon, the substrate receptor for the CRL4 CRBN E3 ubiquitin ligase. Thus, in some aspects, the present invention features methods capable of identifying or detecting a sequence substantially identical to this amino acid sequence in a polypeptide, wherein presence of the sequence indicates increased degradation of the polypeptide in a cell when the cell is contacted with lenalidomide or a lenalidomide analog.
Identification of Drug-Induced Targets of Thalidomide, Lenalidomide, and PomalidomideThe present invention features methods for identifying drug-modulated (in particular, lenalidomide- or lenalidomide analog-modulated) substrates of CRBN. The present invention also features methods for identifying polypeptide targets of thalidomide, lenalidomide, or pomalidomide. Proteomic methods, specifically mass spectrometry, have served as an effective approach to identify the drug-induced targets of thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide. A caveat to this strategy, however, is that mass spectrometry can only detect changes in the levels of proteins which are expressed by the cell type being examined. Indeed, it is almost certain that all substrates whose protein levels are perturbed by this family of drugs have yet to be identified; the current list of targets fail to explain a number of these compounds' effects, most notably the sedative and anti-emetic properties for which thalidomide was originally marketed and the teratogenic effects which nearly eradicated these drugs from the armamentarium. An alternative strategy which has been used to discover ubiquitin ligase substrates in a cell-type independent manner is to take a structural approach and define the amino acid sequences responsible for targeting proteins to their cognate ubiquitin ligase (Nash et al., 2001, Nature 29,414(6863):514-21). In the study described herein, the consensus “degron” sequence which mediates binding of Aiolos (IKZF3) to the drug-cereblon complex was defined. It is planned that this consensus sequence will be used to examine the proteome for other possible drug-induced targets of the CRL4-CRBN ubiquitin ligase.
Described herein is a functional, comprehensive saturating mutagenesis screen which has revealed the amino acid sequence within Aiolos (IKZF3) that mediates its association with thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide in complex with cereblon, the substrate receptor for the CRL4 CRBN E3 ubiquitin ligase. The amino acids identified fall within a zinc finger motif in Aiolos, suggesting the possibility that these compounds may target other transcription factors containing zinc finger motifs. Ikaros (IKZF1) contains a zinc finger motif identical to the motif identified in Aiolos (IKZF3). The implication of this work is therefore the potential to use the structural motif identified in the primary screen to identify additional, potentially therapeutically relevant targets of these compounds.
Lenalidomide and Lenalidomide Analog TherapiesLenalidomide and lenalidomide analogs are effective therapies for a number of diseases or disorders, including 5q-myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), erythema nodosum leparum, and several mature B-cell malignancies, most notably, the plasma cell malignancy multiple myeloma. Lenalidomide analogs approved for clinical use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) include thalidomide and pomalidomide. Lenalidomide is approved by the FDA for treatment of 5q-myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), erythema nodosum leparum, and multiple myeloma. In some embodiments, lenalidomide and lenalidomide analogs are administered to a subject having 5q-myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or plasma cell malignancy multiple myeloma.
In some aspects, methods of the invention (which include prophylactic treatment) comprise administration of a therapeutically effective amount of lenalidomide or a lenalidomide analog, such as thalidomide or pomalidomide, to a subject (e.g., animal, human) in need thereof, including a mammal, particularly a human. Such treatment will be suitably administered to subjects, particularly humans, suffering from, having, susceptible to, or at risk for a disease, disorder, or symptom thereof. Determination of those subjects “at risk” can be made by any objective or subjective determination by a diagnostic test or opinion of a subject or health care provider (e.g., genetic test, enzyme or protein marker, family history, and the like). Lenalidomide or lenalidomide analogs may be also used in the treatment of any other disorders in which Ikaros (IKZF1), Aiolos (IKZF3), Casein Kinase 1 alpha (CSNK1a1), or other targets of lenalidomide may be implicated.
Characterizing and Monitoring Effectiveness of Lenalidomide and Lenalidomide Analog TherapiesAlthough thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide are effective therapies for a number of disorders, most notably 5q-myelodysplastic syndrome and the plasma cell malignancy multiple myeloma, their effectiveness is hampered by development of resistance to these drugs. For example, lenalidomide is currently used in combination with dexamethasone as a front-line therapy for standard-risk multiple myeloma. While this combination offers distinct benefits with regard to disease-free and overall survival, the combination of dexamethasone and lenalidomide is not curative; on average disease progression develops 11 months after initiating treatment (Dimopoulos et al., 2007, N. Engl. J. Med., 357, 2123-2132; Weber et al., 2007, N. Engl. J. Med., 357, 2133-2142).
Without intending to be bound by theory, lenalidomide- or lenalidomide analog-induced association with cereblon (CRBN) and CRBN-mediated degradation of Ikaros (IKZF1) and Aiolos (IKZF3) are believed to confer the therapeutic effects of lenalidomide or lenalidomide analogs in disorders such as multiple myeloma. Thus, the identification of the amino acid sequence within Aiolos (IKZF3) that mediates its association with thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide in complex with cereblon has potential clinical ramifications, as the mutation status of this region may serve as a biomarker capable of stratifying multiple myeloma patients with regard to their potential to respond to lenalidomide, and with regard to the choice of secondary therapies following relapse. Mutations in this region of Aiolos (IKZF3) may also be relevant biomarkers in the context of other malignancies treated with lenalidomide or lenalidomide analogs. In addition, the amino acid sequence identified in Aiolos (IKZF3) is within a zinc finger motif. Ikaros (IKZF1) contains a zinc finger motif identical to the motif identified in Aiolos (IKZF3). Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the amino acids in Ikaros' (IKZF1) zinc finger which correspond to those amino acids identified in Aiolos (IKZF3) are also responsible for mediating Ikaros' (IKZF1) association with cereblon (CRBN) and Cereblon-mediated degradation of Ikaros (IKZF1). Thus, mutations in the corresponding amino acids in IKZF1 may also serve as biomarkers of lenalidomide or lenalidomide analog resistance.
Accordingly, the present invention features methods of characterizing and/or monitoring the lenalidomide sensitivity of a subject comprising detecting the sequence of a region in an IKZF3 or IKZF1 polynucleotide relative to an IKZF3 or IKZF1 reference sequence. The methods include the step of detecting a sequence of a polypeptide or polynucleotide of Aiolos (IKZF3) and/or Ikaros (IKZF1) in a biological sample from a subject suffering from or susceptible to a disorder or symptoms thereof associated with protein targets of lenalidomide, in which the subject has been administered a therapeutic amount of lenalidomide sufficient to treat the disease or symptoms thereof. The detection of a mutation in a polypeptide or polynucleotide of IKZF3 and/or IKZF1 is indicative of lenalidomide resistance and failure to detect a mutation is indicative of lenalidomide sensitivity.
The sequence of a polypeptide or polynucleotide of IKZF3 and/or IKZF1 detected in the method can be compared to a reference sequence. The reference sequence may be a known sequence of the gene in healthy normal controls. In some embodiments, a sequence of a polypeptide or polynucleotide of IKZF3 and/or IKZF1 in the subject is determined at a time point later than the initial determination of the sequence, and the sequences are compared to monitor the efficacy of the therapy. In other embodiments, a pre-treatment sequence of a polypeptide or polynucleotide of IKZF3 and/or IKZF1 in the subject is determined prior to beginning treatment according to this invention; this pre-treatment sequence of a polypeptide or polynucleotide of IKZF3 and/or IKZF1 can then be compared to the sequence of the polypeptide or polynucleotide of IKZF3 and/or IKZF1 in the subject after the treatment commences, to determine the efficacy of the treatment.
In some embodiments, thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide are administered to a subject having a B cell neoplasia, such as multiple myeloma. Over time, many patients treated with lenalidomide acquire resistance to the therapeutic effects of lenalidomide. For example, lenalidomide is currently used in combination with dexamethasone as a front-line therapy for standard-risk multiple myeloma. While this combination offers distinct benefits with regards to disease-free and overall survival, the combination of dexamethasone and lenalidomide is not curative; on average disease progression develops 11 months after initiating treatment (Dimopoulos et al., 2007, N. Engl. J. Med., 357, 2123-2132; Weber et al., 2007, N. Engl. J. Med., 357, 2133-2142).
The early identification of lenalidomide resistance in a B cell neoplasia patient is important to patient survival because it allows for the selection of alternate therapies. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the anti-proliferative effect of lenalidomide in B cell neoplasias (in particular, multiple myeloma) is mediated by the combined depletion of Aiolos (IKZF3) and Ikaros (IKZF1). Accordingly, the invention provides methods for identifying the presence of lenalidomide resistant cells by detecting IKZF3 and/or IKZF1 polypeptides that are resistant to lenalidomide-induced degradation. In one embodiment, a lenalidomide or lenalidomide analog resistant cell is identified by detection of a mutation in IKZF3 and/or IKZF1. Subjects identified as having a lenalidomide resistant B cell neoplasia are identified as in need of alternative treatment. Subjects identified as having a lenalidomide resistant myeloma, for example, are treated with Velcade, corticosteroids, or other anti-neoplastic therapy. For subjects identified as having lenalidomide resistant myelodysplastic syndrome are treated, for example, with azacitidine or decitabine.
In other embodiments, a lenalidomide or lenalidomide analog sensitivity in a subject is characterized by detecting a mutation in IKZF3 and/or IKZF1 polynucleotide or polypeptide sequence in a biological sample of the subject, such as a mutation in any one or more of amino acids 146-168. In particular embodiments, the invention provides for the detection of a mutation at amino acid 147, 148, 151, 152, 153, 155, 161, 164, or 168 in an IKZF3 polypeptide. These mutations are in a C2H2 zinc finger motif within Aiolos (IKZF3). Ikaros (IKZF1) contains an identical zinc finger. Thus, in other embodiments, the invention also provides for the detection of a mutation in Ikaros' (IKZF1) corresponding amino acids, which include amino acids at positions 146, 147, 150, 151, 152, 163, or 167. Methods for detecting a mutation of the invention include immunoassay, direct sequencing, and probe hybridization to a polynucleotide encoding the mutant polypeptide. Exemplary methods of detecting a mutation of the invention are described in, for example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2014/0127690, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Methods of monitoring the sensitivity to lenalidomide or lenalidomide analog of a subject having a disease (e.g., a B cell neoplasia) are useful in managing subject treatment. Provided herein are methods where alterations in a polynucleotide or polypeptide of IKZF3 and/or IKZF1 (e.g., sequence, level, post-transcriptional modification, biological activity) are analyzed, such as before and again after subject management or treatment. In these cases, the methods are used to monitor the status of lenalidomide sensitivity (e.g., response to lenalidomide treatment, resistance to lenalidomide, amelioration of the disease, or progression of the disease).
For example, polypeptides or polynucleotides of IKZF3 and/or IKZF1 can be used to monitor a subject's response to certain treatments of a disease (e.g., B cell neoplasia). The level, biological activity, sequence, post-transcriptional modification, or sensitivity to lenalidomide induced degradation of a polypeptide or polynucleotide of IKZF3 and/or IKZF1 may be assayed before treatment, during treatment, or following the conclusion of a treatment regimen. In some embodiments, multiple assays (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5) are made at one or more of those times to assay resistance to lenalidomide.
Alterations in polynucleotides or polypeptides of IKZF3 and/or IKZF1 (e.g., sequence, level, post-transcriptional modification, biological activity) are detected in a biological sample obtained from a patient that has or has a propensity to develop a disease, such as B cell neoplasia. Such biological samples include, but are not limited to, peripheral blood, bone marrow, or lymphoid tissue obtained from the subject relative to the level of such biomarkers in a reference.
Combination TherapiesIn some aspects, the present invention provides methods for detecting alterations in a polypeptide or polynucleotide of IKZF3 and/or IKZF1 in a biological sample (e.g., peripheral blood, bone marrow) derived from a subject having a B cell neoplasia to determine whether the B cell neoplasia is sensitive to treatment with lenalidomide or whether it has acquired lenalidomide resistance. Alterations in IKZF3 and/or IKZF1 are useful individually, or in combination with other markers typically used in characterizing a B cell neoplasia.
B-cell neoplasms typically recapitulate the normal stages of B-cell differentiation, and can be classified according to their putative cell of origin. Accordingly, alterations in IKZF1 and/or IKZF3 may be assayed alone or in combination with the neoplasm's cytogenetic profile, genotype, and immunophenotype. B cell markers useful in the methods of the invention include, but are not limited to, characterization of CDS, CD10, CD19, CD20, CD22, CD23, FMC7, CD79a, CD40, CD38, and CD138.
KitsIn one aspect, the invention provides kits for monitoring lenalidomide- or lenalidomide analog sensitivity, including the development of lenalidomide- or lenalidomide analog resistance. For example, the kits can be used to detect an alteration in a polypeptide or polynucleotide of IKZF3 and/or IKZF1 (e.g., sequence level, post-transcriptional modification, biological activity). If desired a kit includes any one or more of the following: capture molecules that bind a polynucleotide or polypeptide of IKZF3 and/or IKZF1. The capture molecules may be sequencing primers or hybridization probes for detecting the sequence of a polynucleotide of IKZF3 and/or IKZF1. The kits have many applications. For example, the kits can be used to determine if a subject has a lenalidomide sensitive disorder (e.g., a lenalidomide sensitive multiple myeloma) or if the subject has developed resistance to lenalidomide.
The kits may include instructions for the assay, reagents, testing equipment (test tubes, reaction vessels, needles, syringes, etc.), standards for calibrating the assay, and/or equipment provided or used to conduct the assay. The instructions provided in a kit according to the invention may be directed to suitable operational parameters in the form of a label or a separate insert.
The practice of the present invention employs, unless otherwise indicated, conventional techniques of molecular biology (including recombinant techniques), microbiology, cell biology, biochemistry and immunology, which are well within the purview of the skilled artisan. Such techniques are explained fully in the literature, such as, “Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual”, second edition (Sambrook, 1989); “Oligonucleotide Synthesis” (Gait, 1984); “Animal Cell Culture” (Freshney, 1987); “Methods in Enzymology;” “Handbook of Experimental Immunology” (Weir, 1996); “Gene Transfer Vectors for Mammalian Cells” (Miller and Calos, 1987); “Current Protocols in Molecular Biology” (Ausubel, 1987); “PCR: The Polymerase Chain Reaction”, (Mullis, 1994); “Current Protocols in Immunology” (Coligan, 1991). These techniques are applicable to the production of the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention, and, as such, may be considered in making and practicing the invention. Particularly useful techniques for particular embodiments will be discussed in the sections that follow.
The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how to make and use the assay, screening, and therapeutic methods of the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as their invention.
EXAMPLES Example 1: Identification of Amino Acid Sequence in Aiolos (IKZF3) that Mediates Targeting by Thalidomide, Lenalidomide, and PomalidomideDescribed herein is a study defining an amino acid sequence in Aiolos (IKZF3) which mediates binding of Aiolos (IKZF3) to the drug-cereblon complex. This sequence may be used to examine the proteome for other possible drug-induced targets of the CRL4-CRBN ubiquitin ligase.
In this study, a region within Aiolos (IKZF3) which mediates lenalidomide- or lenalidomide analog mediated binding of Aiolos to the CRL4-CRBN ubiquitin ligase was identified. The degron region within Aiolos had previously been narrowed down to amino acids 130-189, a stretch of 60 amino acids that is necessary and sufficient to confer lenalidomide-induced degradation by the CRL4-CRBN ubiquitin ligase (Kronke et al., 2014, Science, 343: 301-305). Traditional cloning methods, however, had failed to reduce this region further and specifically delineate which amino acids are functionally relevant for drug-induced binding to cereblon. As an alternative approach, an array-based synthesis of DNA oligos to generate a comprehensive scanning mutagenesis library of amino acids 130-189 in Aiolos was utilized (
When examining the flow cytometry data from the screen, it was apparent that approximately 25% of the constructs in the library contained amino acid substitutions that impaired degradation by each of the three compounds. Representative data and the gating strategies for sorting are shown in
Following the screen described herein, several relevant avenues of questioning were pursued. First, the identification of the degron sequence within Aiolos (IKZF3) was validated by experimentally demonstrating that the second C2H2 zinc finger in Aiolos (IKZF3) (amino acids 146-169) was both necessary and sufficient to induce targeting by thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide, as described further herein. Second, an active search of existing proteomic data for potential alternative protein targets of thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide was performed. This examination preliminarily identified RNF166, ZNF692, and ZFP91 as candidates, as described further herein. If indeed these proteins are degraded in the presence of thalidomide, lenalidomide, or pomalidomide, the same comprehensive saturating mutagenesis screen will be performed to gain orthogonal information on what residues within the zinc fingers are relevant for drug induced targeting by the CRL4-CRBN ubiquitin ligase
An implication of this work is to use a greater understanding of the consensus degron sequence or structural motif targeted by thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide to either computationally or functionally search the proteome for novel targets of these compounds. Without intending to be bound by theory, novel targets may explain side effects of these compounds, the neurologic phenotype elicited by thalidomide, the teratogenicity of the drugs, or perhaps most desirably, the discovery of novel targets may warrant the clinical use of thalidomide, lenalidomide, and/or pomalidomide in other disorders.
Example 2: Identification of Amino Acid Sequence in Aiolos (IKZF3) that is Necessary and Sufficient to Mediate Degradation by LenalidomideAs described herein, a structural motif within the transcription factor Aiolos (IKZF3) that mediates its targeting by the CRL4-CRBN E3 ubiquitin ligase in complex with thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide was identified in a screen. Specifically, the screen revealed that the drug-ubiquitin ligase complex recognizes the second, C2H2 zinc finger within Aiolos (IKZF3), with critical amino acids being those which mediate the tertiary structure of the zinc finger, as well as residues 146, 151, and 152, which are polymorphic between individual zinc fingers.
The results from the screen were confirmed by demonstrating that the second zinc finger within Aiolos is both necessary and sufficient for degradation by lenalidomide or lenalidomide analogs (
With the knowledge that these compounds are capable of directing CRL4-CRBN mediated ubiquitination and degradation of proteins containing zinc finger motifs, two proteomic datasets derived from treatment of the cell lines MM1S (multiple myeloma) and KG1 (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) with thalidomide and lenalidomide were more closely examined (Kronke et al., Science 343, 301-305 (2014); Kronke et al., Nature 523, 183-188 (2015)). Indeed, there were three zinc finger proteins which exhibited a significant decrease in abundance in the presence of drug: RNF166, ZFP91, and ZNF692 (
Signaling through the NFKB pathway has been noted to be impaired in the presence of thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide. However, this effect has yet to be explained by a molecular target. ZFP91 is therefore of interest because it is a critical member of the non-canonical NFKB signaling pathway, with existing evidence that a reduction of its protein levels is capable of impairing non-canonical NFKB signaling (Jin et al., Journal of Biological Chemistry 285, 30539-30547 (2010); Jin et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 400, 581-586 (2010)). The hypothesis that degradation of ZFP91 by these compounds explains the ability of these drugs to inhibit NFKB signaling will be pursued. Without intending to be bound by theory, this property may also mechanistically illuminate additional, unexplained cellular and clinical phenotypes such as the inhibition of TNFa secretion by monocytes, anti-angiogenesis, anti-inflammatory properties, and tumoricidal effects of these drugs in multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia.
Example 4: Results of Screen for Genes that Mediate Resistance to Lenalidomide in Multiple MyelomaIn an effort to discover genes whose loss confers resistance to lenalidomide, a pooled, genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen in the lenalidomide-sensitive myeloma cell line, MM1S, was performed. Loss of cereblon has been noted to promote resistance to lenalidomide in cell line models (Zhu et al., 2011, Blood 118, 4771-4779; Lopez-Girona et al., 2012, Leukemia 26, 2326-2335). Therefore, parameters for the screen, including dose and endpoints, were optimized using cereblon gRNAs as a positive control.
In this study, a set of genes whose loss conferred resistance to lenalidomide was identified from a genome-wide screen performed in a lenalidomide-sensitive myeloma cell line. The screen was carried out as follows: on day 8, Cas9-expressing MM1S cells were infected at an efficiency of 46% with the second-generation “GEKO” gRNA library designed by the Zhang lab and Genetic Perturbations Platform at the Broad Institute; this library contains approximately 120,000 gRNAs targeting 18,000 genes (˜6 gRNA/gene) (Sanjana et al., 2014, Nature Methods 11, 783-784). On day 0, a baseline control sample of 120 million cells was taken and the remaining infected cells began treatment with either DMSO (1×60 million cells) or 1 μM lenalidomide (2 sets of 3×120 million cells). The number of cells per replicate in the DMSO and 1 μM lenalidomide treatment groups ensured an estimated representation of each gRNA in 500 and 1000 cells, respectively. Endpoint samples were collected on days 12 (D12) and 20 (D20) (
An examination of the gRNA rankings at D20 revealed that all six of the gRNAs targeting cereblon (CRBN) to be amongst the top 7 and top 6 gRNAs, respectively, confirming the screen optimization procedures (
A focused, pooled viral gRNA library was made containing an orthogonal set of gRNAs targeting the top 30 hits from the screen as well as NFKBIA [32], DCP2 [36], CUL4B [52], and the CRL4-CRBN complex members which did not score in the screen, CUL4A and RBX1. The focused library was designed using an on-target prediction algorithm and specifically contains three gRNAs per gene, each targeting a different exon in the first 50% of the protein (Doench et al., 2014, Nat. Biotechnol. doi:10.1038/nbt.3026). In the same manner as the original screen, this library was used to validate the hits in Cas9-expressing MM1S cells as well as three other lenalidomide-sensitive myeloma cell lines: OPM2, U266, and NCIH929. To determine which of the hits prevent degradation of the Aiolos transcription factor the same focused viral library was screened in an MM1S, NCIH929, and HEK293 T reporter cell lines expressing Aiolos tagged to GFP; flow cytometry-based sorting of GFP high and low cells following a 20 hour incubation with lenalidomide was used to isolate cells carrying gRNAs that did or did not impair Aiolos degradation. Subsequently, gDNA isolation, PCR amplification of the gRNA insert, and Illumina-based sequencing were used as a readout. Results of the screen of this library are shown in
From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that variations and modifications may be made to the invention described herein to adopt it to various usages and conditions. Such embodiments are also within the scope of the following claims.
The recitation of a listing of elements in any definition of a variable herein includes definitions of that variable as any single element or combination (or subcombination) of listed elements. The recitation of an embodiment herein includes that embodiment as any single embodiment or in combination with any other embodiments or portions thereof.
All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each independent patent and publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
Claims
1. A method of identifying a cell resistant to a modulator of cereblon (CRBN), the method comprising detecting a mutation in the sequence of a region in a IKZF3 polynucleotide relative to a IKZF3 reference sequence, wherein said region encodes amino acids 148, 151, 152, 153, 155, 164 and 168 of a IKZF3 polypeptide in said cell, and wherein the mutation in one or more of said encoded amino acids indicates that the cell is resistant to a modulator of CRBN.
2. A method of characterizing or monitoring sensitivity of a subject to a modulator of cereblon (CRBN), the method comprising detecting a mutation in the sequence of a region in an IKZF3 polynucleotide in a biological sample obtained from the subject relative to a IKZF3 reference sequence, wherein said region encodes amino acids 148, 151, 152, 153, 155, 164 and 168 of a IKZF3 polypeptide, and wherein detection of a mutation in one or more of said encoded amino acids is indicative of resistance to a modulator of CRBN and failure to detect a mutation is indicative of sensitivity to a modulator of CRBN.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising administering to the subject an amount of a modulator of CRBN prior to detecting the mutation.
4. A method of selecting a subject for treatment with an alternative to a modulator of cereblon (CRBN), the method comprising detecting a mutation in the sequence of a region in an IKZF3 polynucleotide in a biological sample obtained from the subject relative to a IKZF3 reference sequence, wherein said region encodes amino acids 148, 151, 152, 153, 155, 164 and 168 of a IKZF3 polypeptide, and wherein a subject having a mutation in one or more of said encoded amino acids is selected for treatment with an alternative to a modulator of CRBN.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the modulator of CRBN is lenalidomide, thalidomide, or pomalidomide.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein the modulator of CRBN is lenalidomide, thalidomide, or pomalidomide.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein the modulator of CRBN is lenalidomide, thalidomide, or pomalidomide.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject has one or more of a B cell neoplasia or related condition, a plasma cell malignancy, multiple myeloma, or a myelodysplastic syndrome.
9. The method of claim 2, wherein the subject has one or more of a B cell neoplasia or related condition, a plasma cell malignancy, multiple myeloma, or a myelodysplastic syndrome.
10. The method of claim 4, wherein the subject has one or more of a B cell neoplasia or related condition, a plasma cell malignancy, multiple myeloma, or a myelodysplastic syndrome.
11. The method of claim 2, wherein the biological sample is blood, bone marrow, or lymphoid tissue.
12. The method of claim 4, wherein the biological sample is blood, bone marrow, or lymphoid tissue.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 7, 2021
Publication Date: Jan 20, 2022
Applicants: THE BROAD INSTITUTE, INC. (CAMBRIDGE, MA), PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE (CAMBRIDGE, MA), THE BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL, INC. (BOSTON, MA)
Inventors: TARJEI MIKKELSEN (CAMBRIDGE, MA), BENJAMIN LEVINE EBERT (BOSTON, MA), QUINLAN SIEVERS (BOSTON, MA)
Application Number: 17/496,578
