Abstract B003: EVI1 oncogenic role in non-canonical AR driven lethal prostate cancer

Androgen receptor (AR) remains active in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), and AR cistrome can become extensively reprogrammed with disease progression. Recent findings from our group and others have shown an association with non-canonical AR signature with resistance to enzalutamide. However, the complete mechanism is not fully revealed. EVI1 belongs to the zinc-finger transcription factor family, and overexpression of EVI1 is associated with poor patient outcomes. However, its role in the context of resistance to AR-targeted therapy remains unclear. Our preliminary data from ChIP-seq and GSEA analysis shows a significant enrichment of EVI1 target gene-set captured from annotated enzalutamide-resistant AR binding sites. Hypothesis: EVI1 cooperates in regulating the non-canonical AR activity associated with resistance to AR targeted therapy and blocking EVI1 may overcome resistance to target therapy. Methods : Using a PDX model of advanced enzalutamide-resistant CRPC, we performed single-cell ATAC-seq + gene expression multi-omic assay. Next, we determined the enrichment of canonical vs. non-canonical AR signatures across cell populations. Using motif analysis and transcription factor foot printing, we determine EVI1 (MECOM) motif z score and enrichment. Results: Our findings demonstrate enrichment of non-canonical AR signatures in distinct population of cells following exposure to enzalutamide. In addition, the subpopulation of cells enriched for non-canonical AR cistrome also exhibited high EVI1 (MECOM) motif z-scores. Conclusion : Our data suggests a potential link between EVI1 and non-canonical AR signaling. Ongoing mechanistic studies will provide insight mechanism by which EVI1 controls non canonical AR activity and its vulnerabilities. Citation Format: Surendra Gulla, Jonathan E. Bard, David J. VanderWeele, Kathleen Kelly, Remi Adelaiye-Ogala. EVI1 oncogenic role in non-canonical AR driven lethal prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Advances in Prostate Cancer Research; 2023 Mar 15-18; Denver, Colorado. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B003.