Repurposing Vandetanib plus Everolimus for the Treatment of ACVR1-Mutant Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma

Somatic mutations in ACVR1 are found in a quarter of children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), but there are no ACVR1 inhibitors licensed for the disease. Using an artifi cial intelligence-based platform to search for approved compounds for ACVR1-mutant DIPG, the combination of vandetanib and everolimus was identifi ed as a possible therapeutic approach. Vandetanib, an inhibitor of VEGFR/RET/EGFR, was found to target ACVR1 (K-d= 150 nmol/L) and reduce DIPG cell viability in vitro but has limited ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. In addition to mTOR, everolimus inhibited ABCG2 (BCRP) and ABCB1 (P-gp) transporters and was synergistic in DIPG cells when combined with vandetanib in vitro . This combination was well tolerated in vivo and signifi cantly extended survival and reduced tumor burden in an orthotopic ACVR1-mutant patient-derived DIPG xenograft model. Four patients with ACVR1-mutant DIPG were treated with vandetanib plus an mTOR inhibitor, informing the dosing and toxicity profi le of this combination for future clinical studies. SIGNIFICANCE: Twenty-fi ve percent of patients with the incurable brainstem tumor DIPG harbor somatic activating mutations in ACVR1, but there are no approved drugs targeting the receptor. Using artifi cial intelligence, we identify and validate, both experimentally and clinically, the novel combination of vandetanib and everolimus in these children based on both signaling and pharmacokinetic synergies.

Automated summary

Using artificial intelligence, researchers have identified and validated the combination of vandetanib and everolimus as a potential therapeutic approach for ACVR1-mutant DIPG. This combination showed synergistic effects in vitro and in vivo, significantly improving survival and reducing tumor burden in patients.