De novo pyrimidine biosynthesis inhibition synergizes with BCL-X_L targeting in pancreatic cancer.

ABSTRACT: Oncogenic KRAS induces metabolic rewiring in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) characterized, in part, by dependency on de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis. Pharmacologic inhibition of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), an enzyme in the de novo pyrimidine synthesis pathway, delays pancreatic tumor growth; however, limited monotherapy efficacy suggests that compensatory pathways may drive resistance. Here, we use an integrated metabolomic, proteomic and in vitro and in vivo DHODH inhibitor-anchored genetic screening approach to identify compensatory pathways to DHODH inhibition (DHODHi) and targets for combination therapy strategies. We demonstrate that DHODHi alters the apoptotic regulatory proteome thereby enhancing sensitivity to inhibitors of the anti-apoptotic BCL2L1 (BCL-X_L<

SUBMITTER: Zhang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12311037 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature