Combination of ZEN-3694 with CDK4/6 inhibitors reverses acquired resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors in ER-positive breast cancer

CDK4/6 inhibitors significantly prolong progression-free survival in patients with advanced hormone receptor-positive (HR+) HER2-negative breast cancer. Despite recent successes, patients acquire resistance, necessitating the development of additional novel therapeutic strategies. Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins are key epigenetic regulators that interact with acetylated lysine (AcLys) residues of histones or transcription factors. BET proteins are directly involved in modulating estrogen receptor (ER) signaling and the cell cycle. Therefore, BET inhibitors can potentially offer new strategies in the treatment of advanced ER+ breast cancer. ZEN-3694 is an orally bioavailable small molecule BET inhibitor currently being evaluated in Phase 1/2 clinical trials (NCT03901469). To assess a potential combination strategy in a CDK4/6i resistant breast cancer population, we investigated the mechanism of action of ZEN-3694 combined with CDK4/6 inhibitors in the ER+ cell lines resistant to palbociclib or abemaciclib. Here, we describe that the combination of ZEN-3694 with CDK4/6i potently inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in CDK4/6i resistant cell lines. The resistance to both palbociclib and abemaciclib was associated with the strong upregulation of CDK6 and CCND1 protein levels, which was reversed by the ZEN-3694 treatment. Furthermore, RNAseq data and pathway analysis elucidated the combinatorial effects of ZEN-3694 with CDK4/6 inhibitors through significant downregulation of multiple pathways involved in cell cycle regulation, cellular growth, proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation, and cellular immune response. Our data indicate that ZEN-3694 has therapeutic potential in combination with CDK4/6 inhibitors in patients with advanced ER+ breast resistant to CDK4/6 inhibitors.