Abstract 6401: SM08502, a novel, small-molecule CDC-like kinase (CLK) inhibitor, demonstrates strong antitumor effects and Wnt and cyclin D-CDK4/6-RB pathway inhibition in hormone-receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer models

Dysregulation of the cyclin D-CDK4/6-RB signaling axis is implicated in HR+ breast cancer (BC). While CDK4/6 inhibitors such as palbociclib (Palbo) have shown efficacy in this cancer type, overcoming resistance to these agents is an unmet need for patients. SM08502 has demonstrated strong antitumor activity in several preclinical cancer models and has been shown to inhibit the Wnt pathway via disruption of alternative splicing. We examined SM08502 activity in preclinical models of CDK4/6 inhibitor-sensitive and -resistant HR+, HER2-negative (HER2-) BC. In vitro, SM08502 inhibited serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 6 (SRSF6) phosphorylation and suppressed Wnt-related gene and protein expression (e.g., DVL2, LRP5, TCF7L2) in MCF7 and T47D cells (HR+, HER2-). To test SM08502 activity on CDK4/6 inhibitor-resistant HR+, HER2- BC, we generated Palbo-resistant (Palbo-R) T47D cells. Resistance was confirmed by reduced RB and ER-α expression and increased cyclin E1 expression in Palbo-R vs. parental cells. RB phosphorylation was not inhibited upon Palbo (1 μM) treatment in Palbo-R vs. parental cells. SM08502 impaired parental (EC50=0.22 µM) and Palbo-R (EC50=0.41 µM) T47D cell proliferation, while CDK4/6 inhibitors (Palbo, abemaciclib, ribociclib) were only effective on parental cells. Compared to DMSO, SM08502 induced apoptosis in parental and Palbo-R cells as measured by caspase 3/7 activation, PARP cleavage, and MCL-1 expression. Compared to DMSO and CDK4/6 inhibitors, SM08502 (1 μM) inhibited RB phosphorylation and expression of ER-α, AR, and cyclins D1 and E in parental and Palbo-R cells, demonstrating potent activity against CDK4/6 pathway activation. In vivo antitumor effects and tolerability of oral SM08502 (25mg/kg QD) alone or combined with fulvestrant (F) ± Palbo in a CDK4/6 inhibitor-sensitive model were assessed in mice bearing orthotopic MCF7 xenografts (n=8/group). Compared to vehicle, SM08502 induced greater tumor growth inhibition (TGI) than F (75 mg/kg BIW) or Palbo (50 mg/kg QD) (70% [P Citation Format: Heekyung Chung, Lauren Sitts, Chu-Chiao Wu, Brian Eastman, Chi Ching Mak, Sunil KC, Josh Stewart, Carine Bossard, Timothy J. Phalen, Steven Cha. SM08502, a novel, small-molecule CDC-like kinase (CLK) inhibitor, demonstrates strong antitumor effects and Wnt and cyclin D-CDK4/6-RB pathway inhibition in hormone-receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer models [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 6401.