Different EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been developed for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring sensitizing mutations in the EGFR gene. Apart from acquired secondary mutations, multiple resistance mechanisms have been reported, such as the overexpression of fatty acid synthase (FASN), a multi-functional enzyme essential for the de novo lipogenesis, or the increase of cancer stem cells, a small subpopulation within the tumor responsible for relapse, metastasis, and resistance to therapies. Hence, the purpose of this work is to evaluate the novel FASN inhibitor AZ12756122, both alone and in combination with gefitinib and osimertinib, in EGFR-mutated (EGFRm) lung adenocarcinoma cell models sensitive and resistant to EGFR-TKIs. The molecular effect of AZ12756122 (alone and in combination with EGFR-TKI) on FASN, EGFR/STAT3, Akt/mTOR, and MAPK signaling pathways was analyzed using RT-qPCR and Western blot. FASN expression was also evaluated in samples from patients with EGFRm NSCLC through immunohistochemistry. Our findings revealed that AZ12756122 caused cytotoxic effects inducing apoptosis, downregulated FASN expression and activity, decreased the activation of EGFR and Akt/mTOR pathway, and reduced cancer stem-like cells. Furthermore, the combination of AZ12756122 and osimertinib sensitized cells to EGFR-TKI, showing a synergistic effect that resulted in a reduction in the activation of EGFR, Akt/mTOR, and MAPK signaling pathways. Our study also showed that FASN+EGFRm NSCLC patients exhibited a longer mPFS in patients who responded to EGFR-TKI treatment. In conclusion, FASN inhibition should be further studied for the treatment, alone or in combination with EGFR-TKIs, for EGFRm NSCLC patients.
Impaired adipose tissue insulin signalling is a critical feature of insulin resistance. Here we identify a pathway linking the lipolytic enzyme hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) to insulin action via the glucose-responsive transcription factor ChREBP and its target, the fatty acid elongase ELOVL6. Genetic inhibition of HSL in human adipocytes and mouse adipose tissue results in enhanced insulin sensitivity and induction of ELOVL6. ELOVL6 promotes an increase in phospholipid oleic acid, which modifies plasma membrane fluidity and enhances insulin signalling. HSL deficiency-mediated effects are suppressed by gene silencing of ChREBP and ELOVL6. Mechanistically, physical interaction between HSL, independent of lipase activity, and the isoform activated by glucose metabolism ChREBPalpha impairs ChREBPalpha translocation into the nucleus and induction of ChREBPbeta, the isoform with high transcriptional activity that is strongly associated with whole-body insulin sensitivity. Targeting the HSL-ChREBP interaction may allow therapeutic strategies for the restoration of insulin sensitivity.
