Costunolide is a dual inhibitor of MEK1 and AKT1/2 that overcomes osimertinib resistance in lung cancer

EGFR-TKI targeted therapy is one of the most effective treatments for lung cancer patients harboring EGFR activating mutations. However, inhibition response is easily attenuated by drug resistance, which is mainly due to bypass activation or downstream activation. Herein, we established osimertinib-resistant cells by stepwise dose-escalation in vitro and an osimertinib-resistant patient-derived xenograft model through persistent treatment in vivo. Phosphorylated proteomics identified that MEK1 and AKT1/2 were abnormally activated in resistant cells compared with parental cells. Likewise, EGFR inhibition by osimertinib induced activation of MEK1 and AKT1/2, which weakened osimertinib sensitivity in NSCLC cells. Consequently, this study aimed to identify a novel inhibitor which could suppress resistant cell growth by dual targeting of MEK1 and AKT1/2. Based on computational screening, we identified that costunolide could interact with MEK1 and AKT1/2. Further exploration using in vitro kinase assays validated that costunolide inhibited the kinase activity of MEK1 and AKT1/2, which restrained downstream ERK-RSK2 and GSK3 beta signal transduction and significantly induced cell apoptosis. Remarkably, the combination of osimertinib and costunolide showed synergistic or additive inhibitory effects on tumor growth in osimertinib-resistant cell lines and PDX model. Hence, this study highlights a potential therapeutic strategy for osimertinib-resistant patients through targeting of MEK1 and AKT1/2 by costunolide.

Automated summary

EGFR-TKI targeted therapy is effective for lung cancer patients with EGFR activating mutations, but drug resistance limits its efficacy. This study identified MEK1 and AKT1/2 activation as a major cause of resistance and found that costunolide, by targeting MEK1 and AKT1/2, could suppress resistant cell growth. The combination of osimertinib and costunolide showed synergistic or additive effects on tumor growth in osimertinib-resistant models. This study highlights a potential therapeutic strategy for osimertinib-resistant patients through dual targeting of MEK1 and AKT1/2 by costunolide.