Abstract
CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) have improved survival of patients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. However, patients treated with CDK4/6i eventually develop drug resistance and progress. RB1 loss-of-function alterations confer resistance to CDK4/6i, but the optimal therapy for these patients is unclear. Through a genome-wide CRISPR screen, we identify protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) as a molecular vulnerability in ER+/RB1-knockout breast cancer cells. Inhibition of PRMT5 blocks the G1-to-S transition in the cell cycle independent of RB, leading to growth arrest in RB1-knockout cells. Proteomics analysis uncovers fused in sarcoma (FUS) as a downstream effector of PRMT5. Inhibition of PRMT5 results in dissociation of FUS from RNA polymerase II, leading to hyperphosphorylation of serine 2 in RNA polymerase II, intron retention, and subsequent downregulation of proteins involved in DNA synthesis. Furthermore, treatment with the PRMT5 inhibitor pemrametostat and a selective ER degrader fulvestrant synergistically inhibits growth of ER+/RB-deficient cell-derived and patient-derived xenografts. These findings highlight dual ER and PRMT5 blockade as a potential therapeutic strategy to overcome resistance to CDK4/6i in ER+/RB-deficient breast cancer.