Quantifying single-cell ERK dynamics in colorectal cancer organoids reveals EGFR as an amplifier of oncogenic MAPK pathway signaling
Creators
- Ponsioen, Bas
- Post, Jasmin B.
- Buissant des Amorie, Julian R.
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Laskaris, Dimitrios
- van Ineveld, Ravian L.
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Kersten, Simone
- Bertotti, Andrea
- Sassi, Francesco
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Sipieter, François
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Cappe, Benjamin
- Mertens, Sander
- VerlaanKlink, Ingrid
- Boj, Sylvia F.
- Vries, Rob G.J.
- Rehmann, Holger
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Vandenabeele, Peter
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Riquet, Franck B.
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Trusolino, Livio1
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Bos, Johannes L.
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Snippert, Hugo J.G.
- 1. UNITO
Description
Direct targeting of the downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway to suppress extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) activation in KRAS and BRAF mutant colorectal cancer (CRC) has proven clinically unsuccessful, but promising results have been obtained with combination therapies including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition. To elucidate the interplay between EGF signalling and ERK activation in tumours, we used patient-derived organoids (PDOs) from KRAS and BRAF mutant CRCs. PDOs resemble in vivo tumours, model treatment response and are compatible with live-cell microscopy. We established real-time, quantitative drug response assessment in PDOs with single-cell resolution, using our improved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based ERK biosensor EKAREN5. We show that oncogene-driven signalling is strikingly limited without EGFR activity and insufficient to sustain full proliferative potential. In PDOs and in vivo, upstream EGFR activity rigorously amplifies signal transduction efficiency in KRAS or BRAF mutant MAPK pathways. Our data provide a mechanistic understanding of the effectivity of EGFR inhibitors within combination therapies against KRAS and BRAF mutant CRC.
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EMS118801.pdf
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Additional details
Funding
- IntratumoralNiche – Defining heterocellular signalling within the intratumoral stem cell niche of colorectal cancer 803608
- European Commission
- COLOSSUS – Advancing a Precision Medicine Paradigm in metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Systems based patient stratification solutions 754923
- European Commission
- BEAT – The functional interaction of EGFR and beta-catenin signalling in colorectal cancer: Genetics, mechanisms, and therapeutic potential. 724748
- European Commission