Abstract 4816: Targeting GCN2 regulation of amino acid homeostasis sensitizes prostate cancer cells to senolytic therapies

Abstract The integrated stress response (ISR) features a family of eIF2 kinases that sense cellular stress, triggering translational and transcriptional modes of gene expression that enhance cell adaptation to the underlying stress. Previously we reported (Cordova et al., 2022 eLife) that prostate cancer (PCa) cells rely on one of these eIF2 kinases, GCN2, for maintenance of amino acid homeostasis and sustained proliferation. GCN2 functions to enhance expression of amino acid transporters and subsequent import of essential amino acids (EAAs) that are necessary to sustain PCa growth. Genetic loss or pharmacological inhibition of GCN2 results in decreased expression of amino acid transporters, severe depletion of intracellular EAAs, and decreased proliferation of PCa cells in culture and mouse xenograft models. Although loss of GCN2 in PCa cells reduces proliferation, depletion of this eIF2 kinase is suggested to lead to cell stasis and modest cell death. We hypothesize that the static phenotype by GCN2 inhibition in PCa cells renders these cells vulnerable to senolytic treatment and is a potential therapeutic target in combination therapies. To address this idea, we utilized models of androgen-sensitive and castration-resistant PCa and non-tumorigenic prostate epithelial cells. GCN2 inhibition induced a static phenotype in PCa cell lines, but not non-tumorigenic prostate epithelial cells, and this was accompanied by increased expression of the senescent markers p53, p21, p27, and MCL-1. Furthermore, induction of senescent markers following GCN2 inhibition in PCa cells was reversed by supplementation with EAAs, suggesting that limitation of EAAs is critical to the induction of cell stasis. Of importance, treatment of PCa cells with Navitoclax, a senolytic agent that targets Bcl-2 family of anti-apoptotic proteins, in combination with GCN2 inhibition resulted in enhanced cell death and apoptosis compared to each single treatment alone. Our results suggest that GCN2 inhibition in PCa cells leads to depletion of EAAs and induction of a static phenotype, rendering these cells vulnerable to targeting the Bcl-2 family of proteins to expedite cell death. As such, therapies integrating GCN2 inhibition and senolytic agents are proposed to be effective strategies for treatment of PCa. Citation Format: Noah R. Sommers, Ricardo A. Cordova, Angela J. Klunk, Roberto Pili, Ronald C. Wek, Kirk A. Staschke. Targeting GCN2 regulation of amino acid homeostasis sensitizes prostate cancer cells to senolytic therapies. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 4816.