Combined Inactivation of MEK and mTOR Can Lead to Synergistic Cell Death in Glioblastoma Models and Associates with NF1 Deficiency and a Mesenchymal Subtype

Glioblastoma (GB) is the most common and aggressive brain-derived tumor. It often shows genetic alterations in kinase signaling pathways, such as the Pi3K/mTOR and RAS/MAPK pathways, which frequently converge onto oncogenic processes. However, it is unknown to what extend co-vulnerabilities exist within this network and which kinase drug targets are promising for GB treatment. We investigated the drug sensitivity of GB cell line models to monotherapy and synergy effects in dual combination therapy to targeting components of Pi3K/mTOR and RAS/MAPK pathways. In addition, we examined cell line drug sensitivities in relation to their individual genetic tumor-driving lesions [i.e., neurofibromin 1 (NF1) alterations as well as transcriptomic defined GB subtypes]. Synergy levels were correlated to in-lab generated phosphoproteomic data. Lastly, serial or simultaneous addition of MEK and mTOR inhibitors was investigated in longitudinal experiments. Dual inhibition of MEK and mTOR resulted in synergistic effects, which were associated with NF1 deficiency. Strong synergy effects were also associated with the mesenchymal subtype. Dual inhibition of MEK and mTOR led to prolonged growth inhibition in GB spheroids. In addition, sequential drug treatment resulted in similar growth inhibitory effects compared with simultaneous combination therapies. Our findings highlight the potential of dual inhibition strategies targeting multiple kinases for the treatment of GB, particularly in NF1-deficient and mesenchymal tumors, the most lethal subtype of GB.