Transcriptomic And Proteomic Analyses Of Dipg Response To Onc201

Abstract Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is an incurable pediatric brain tumor. Current standard of care has shown no improvements in survival. Here, we report our study of ONC201, a first-in-class small molecule developed by Oncoceutics, Inc., against a panel of DIPG cells in vitro and in mouse orthotopic models. ONC201 inhibits signaling through dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). MTT assays revealed a delayed but more robust response to ONC201, as measured by IC50 values, in DIPGs with histone H3.3-K27M expression compared to cells expressing wildtype (WT) or K27M mutant histone H3.1. Interestingly, transcriptomic profiling identified an association of this response delay with an elevation of genes controlling the cellular unfolded protein response, lysosomal and vacuole organization, and a decline in nucleic acid biosynthetic genes. These cells were also more committed to neuronal and oligodendrocytic lineage specification. By contrast, WT-H3 DIPGs that survived ONC201 treatment were stem-like and exhibited altered expression of genes controlling cell proliferation and apoptosis induction, respectively. Single cell proteomics validated the increase in anti-apoptotic proteins in these cells. Intraperitoneal administration of ONC201 for 7-weeks in mice bearing pontine xenografts of histone H3.1-K27M mutant DIPGs, caused a complete blockade of tumor growth relative to untreated controls. However, identical treatment of animals with forebrain tumors resulted only in a partial reduction in tumor burden, suggesting that the tumor microenvironment may be involved in the differential effect. These data indicate that tumor intrinsic and extrinsic factors may contribute to the response of DIPG tumors to ONC201.