Targeting FOXP1 phase separation in small cell lung cancer mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance

Our study elucidates the role of FOXP1 in chemoresistance in small cell lung cancer(SCLC). FOXP1 enhances chemoresistance by regulating SP8 expression through its super-enhancer (SP8-SE), with SP8 mediating resistance via the homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathway. We also discovered that FOXP1 forms punctate nuclear structures indicative of liquid-liquid phase separation, crucial for its transcriptional regulation. Targeting the FOXP1-SP8-HR axis with BRD4 and PARP inhibitors showed synergistic effects in reducing tumor growth in vitro and in patient-derived xenograft models. These findings identify FOXP1 as a critical mediator and marker of chemoresistance in SCLC, providing a foundation for developing targeted therapies to overcome this resistance. FOXP1 phase separation promotes transcriptional regulation, driving chemoresistance in small cell lung cancer by controlling SP8 expression and homologous recombination repair.