Targeting the dependence of N-Myc on interaction with Aurora-A with small molecules

Multiple proof-of-principle experiments suggest that targeting members of the Myc family of oncoproteins will have significant therapeutic benefit in human tumors. Deregulated expression of MYCN, one of the three family members implicated in human tumors, is prevalent in both pediatric and adult neuroendocrine tumors. We have shown previously that MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells depend on high levels of Aurora-A expression for maintaining N-Myc function. Similarly, Aurora-A and N-Myc bind each other and together drive an oncogenic gene expression program in neuroendocrine prostate tumors. Although stabilization of N-Myc does not require the catalytic activity of Aurora-A, we found that two inhibitors of Aurora-A disrupt the Aurora-A/N-Myc complex and promote degradation of N-Myc via the Fbxw7 ubiquitin ligase. Disruption of the Aurora-A/N-Myc complex inhibits N-Myc-dependent transcription, correlating with tumor regression and prolonged survival in a mouse model of MYCN-driven neuroblastoma, suggesting that Aurora-A is an accessible target that makes destabilization of N-Myc a viable therapeutic strategy. Citation Format: Markus Brockmann, Evon Poon, Louis Chesler, Martin Eilers. Targeting the dependence of N-Myc on interaction with Aurora-A with small molecules. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Precision Medicine Series: Synthetic Lethal Approaches to Cancer Vulnerabilities; May 17-20, 2013; Bellevue, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(5 Suppl):Abstract nr IA13.