Hyperthermia Selectively Destabilizes Oncogenic Fusion Proteins

The PML/RAR alpha fusion protein is the oncogenic driver in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Although most APL cases are cured by PML/RAR alpha-targeting therapy, relapse and resistance can occur due to drug-resistant mutations. Here we report that thermal stress destabilizes the PML/RAR alpha protein, including clinically identified drug-resistant mutants. AML1/ETO and TEL/AML1 oncofusions show similar heat shock susceptibility. Mechanistically, mild hyperthermia stimulates aggregation of PML/RAR alpha in complex with nuclear receptor corepressors leading to ubiquitin-mediated degradation via the SIAH2 E3 ligase. Hyperthermia and arsenic therapy destabilize PML/RAR alpha via distinct mechanisms and are synergistic in primary patient samples and in vivo, including three refractory APL cases. Collectively, our results suggest that by taking advantage of a biophysical vulnerability of PML/RAR alpha, thermal therapy may improve prognosis in drug-resistant or otherwise refractory APL. These findings serve as a paradigm for therapeutic targeting of fusion oncoprotein-associated cancers by hyperthermia. SIGNIFICANCE: Hyperthermia destabilizes oncofusion proteins including PML/RAR alpha and acts synergistically with standard arsenic therapy in relapsed and refractory APL. The results open up the possibility that heat shock sensitivity may be an easily targetable vulnerability of oncofusion-driven cancers.

Automated summary

Hyperthermia destabilizes oncofusion proteins, including drug-resistant mutants like PML/RARα, and may improve prognosis in acute promyelocytic leukemia through promoting protein degradation. This approach of utilizing biophysical vulnerabilities of fusion oncoproteins could be a paradigm for therapeutically targeting related cancers with hyperthermia.