Abstract 1242: Examining the role of heme and respiratory proteins in the progression of KRAS/LKB1 mutant subtype

Currently there are few successful targeted therapies for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Targeting mutations in EGFR, BRAF, ALK etc. provide treatment options only for a defined subset of adenocarcinoma patients leaving majority of adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma patients without any options. Activating KRAS mutations are found in 15-30% of all NSCLC patients; however, existing treatment options for KRAS-mutant cancer are not effective in the subset with concomitant loss of LKB1 (kinase that phosphorylates AMPK). Several studies demonstrate the importance of mitochondrial metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in lung tumorigenesis. Components of OXPHOS complexes and markers of mitochondrial biogenesis are highly predictive of reduced overall survival in NSCLC patients. A study using genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) for lung cancer (KrasLSLG12D/+Trp53-/- and KrasLSL-G12D/+Lkb1-/-) showed that along with glucose, lactate contributes to the TCA cycle. This highlights the importance of OXPHOS in these models. Also, heme is a prosthetic group for several of these OXPHOS proteins and is involved in oxygen transport and utilization. Hence, we aim to investigate unique therapeutic targets by examining the role of heme and respiratory proteins in the progression of KRAS/LKB1 mutant subtype. We used LSL-KrasG12D LKB1-/- (LSL-KRASG12D; LKBloxP/loxP; LSL-Luciferase (KLLuc)) GEMM model for our study. Briefly, the mice were infected with AdenoCre virus, and sacrificed at different intervals in the progression of the tumors. For histological and immunohistochemical analysis, lung tissues were formalin fixed, paraffin embedded and sectioned (5µm thick). HE 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1242.