Abstract
Targeted cancer therapeutics select for drug-resistant rescue subclones (RSCs), which typically carry rescue mutations that restore oncogenic signaling. Whereas mutations underlying antibiotic resistance frequently burden drug-naive microbes with a fitness cost, it remains unknown whether and how rescue mutations underlying cancer relapse encounter negative selection prior to targeted therapy. Here, using mouse models of reversible, Wnt-driven mammary cancer, we uncovered stringent counter-selection against Wnt signaling overdose during the clonal evolution of RSCs. Analyzing recurrent tumors emerging during simulated targeted therapy (Wnt withdrawal) by multi-region DNA sequencing revealed polyclonal relapses comprised of multiple RSCs, which bear distinct but functionally equivalent rescue mutations that converge on sub-maximal Wnt pathway activation. When superimposed on native (i.e., undrugged) signaling, these rescue mutations faced negative selection, indicating that they burden RSCs with a fitness cost before Wnt withdrawal unmasks their selective advantage. Exploiting collateral sensitivity to oncogene overdose may help eliminate RSCs and prevent cancer relapse.
Keywords:
Apc gene; Wnt signaling; breast cancer; cancer genetics; clonal evolution; drug resistance; mammary cancer; mouse; oncogene overdose; targeted therapy.