Biology subjects

Hentemann, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Hentemann, M..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

A druggable chromatin vulnerability in suppressive neutrophils restores antitumor immunity

Many cancers evade immunity by converting neutrophils into polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs), but the chromatin mechanisms that maintain this pathological state remain unclear. Here we show that tumor-induced suppressive neutrophils depend on mSWI/SNF chromatin remodeling. Two orally bioavailable mSWI/SNF ATPase antagonists, a degrader and a catalytic inhibitor, produced immune-dependent tumor control across syngeneic models, including tumors resistant to PD-1 blockade, and enhanced checkpoint therapy without overt toxicity. Treatment rapidly depleted intratumoral PMN-MDSCs, restored functional CD8+ T cells, and blocked tumor explant-induced expansion and suppressive activity of mouse and human PMN-MDSCs. mSWI/SNF antagonism collapsed chromatin accessibility and PU.1/C/EBP{beta} occupancy at regulatory elements that sustain PMN-MDSC identity. Thus, suppressive neutrophils harbor a druggable chromatin vulnerability that can be exploited to restore cancer immunity.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2023

BRG1/BRM inhibitor targets AML stem cells and exerts superior preclinical efficacy combined with BET or Menin inhibitor

BRG1 (SMARCA4) and BRM (SMARCA2) are the core ATPases of chromatin remodeling BAF (BRG1/BRM-associated factor) complexes, which enable transcription factors/co-factors to modulate gene-expressions, mediating growth, differentiation-arrest and survival of AML cells. In AML with MLL1r (MLL1 rearrangement) or mutant (mt) NPM1, although monotherapy with Menin inhibitor (MI) induces clinical remissions, most patients either fail to respond or relapse. FHD-286 is a selective BRG1/BRM inhibitor, undergoing clinical development in AML. Here, FHD-286 induced differentiation and lethality in AML cells with MLL1r or mtNPM1, reducing chromatin accessibility and repressing c-Myc, PU.1 and CDK4/6. Whereas FHD-286 monotherapy reduced AML burden, leukemia-initiating potential and improved survival, FHD-286 combinations with MI, BET inhibitor, decitabine or venetoclax was significantly more effective in reducing AML burden and improved survival, without significant toxicity, in xenograft models of AML with MLL1r or mtNPM1. These findings highlight promising FHD-286-based combinations for therapy of AML with MLL1r or mtNPM1. Statement of SignificanceInhibition of BRG1/BRM ATPases by FHD-286 reduced chromatin accessibility, repressed c-Myc, PU.1 and CDK4/6, inducing differentiation, leukemia-initiating potential and lethality in AML stem-progenitor cells. FHD-286-based combinations with Menin or BET inhibitor or decitabine reduced AML burden and improved survival in xenograft models of AML with MLL rearrangement or mutant NPM1.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Pharmacologic inhibition of BAF chromatin remodeling complexes as a therapeutic approach to transcription factor-dependent cancers

The BRG/Brahma-associated factors (BAF or mSWI/SNF) family of chromatin remodeling complexes are critical regulators of gene expression and are major determinants of cancer and other diseases. Two paralog ATPases, SMARCA4 and SMARCA2 (BRG1 and BRM, respectively), provide the enzymatic activity required for chromatin remodeling. Here, we discover and characterize a novel series of compounds that potently and selectively inhibit SMARCA4/SMARCA2. Mutational and biochemical studies demonstrate that these inhibitors act through a unique mode of inhibition, distinct from reported SMARCA4/SMARCA2 inhibitors. Across a range of cancer cell lines, SMARCA4/SMARCA2 inhibition resulted in lineage-specific changes in chromatin accessibility at binding sites for key transcription factors (TFs). In uveal melanoma (UM), BAF inhibition resulted in loss of enhancer occupancy of SOX10 and MITF, two essential TFs, leading to down-regulation of the melanocytic gene expression program. In a mouse xenograft model of UM, SMARCA4/SMARCA2 inhibition was well tolerated and resulted in dose-dependent tumor regression correlating with pharmacodynamic modulation of BAF-target gene expression. These data provide the foundation for first-in-human studies of BAF ATPase inhibition as a novel therapeutic to treat TF-dependent cancers.

cancer biology↗