A review of the anti-tumor potential of current therapeutics targeting the mitochondrial protease ClpP in H3K27-altered, diffuse midline glioma

Evangeline R. Jackson, Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
Mika L. Persson, Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
Cameron J. Fish, Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
Izac J. Findlay, Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
Sabine Mueller, DIPG/DMG Center Zurich, University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Javad Nazarian, DIPG/DMG Center Zurich, University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Esther Hulleman, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Jasper van der Lugt, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Ryan J. Duchatel, Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
Matthew D. Dun, Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

8-17-2023

Journal

Neuro-oncology

DOI

10.1093/neuonc/noad144

Keywords

CLPP; CLPP agonist; DMG; ONC201; dordaviprone

Abstract

Diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) are devastating pediatric brain tumors recognized as the leading cause of cancer-related death in children. DMGs are high-grade gliomas (HGGs) diagnosed along the brain's midline. Euchromatin is the hallmark feature of DMG, caused by global hypomethylation of H3K27 either through point mutations in histone H3 genes (H3K27M), or by overexpression of the enhancer of zeste homolog inhibitory protein (EZHIP). In a clinical trial for adults with progressive HGGs, a 22-year-old patient with a thalamic H3K27-altered DMG, showed remarkable clinical and radiological responses to dordaviprone (ONC201). This response in a H3K27-altered HGG patient, coupled with the lack of response of patients harboring wildtype-H3 tumors, has increased the clinical interest in dordaviprone for the treatment of DMG. Additional reports of clinical benefit have emerged, but research defining mechanisms of action (MOA) fall behind dordaviprone's clinical use, with biomarkers of response unresolved. Here, we summarize dordaviprone's safety, interrogate its preclinical MOA- identifying the mitochondrial protease 'ClpP' as a biomarker of response, and discuss other ClpP-agonists, expanding the arsenal of potential weapons in the fight against DMG. Finally, we discuss combination strategies including ClpP-agonists, and its immunomodulatory effects suggestive of a role for the tumor microenvironment in DMG patients' response.

Department

Genomics and Precision Medicine

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