Genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 screen identifies druggable dependencies in <i>TP53</i> wild-type Ewing sarcoma

Abstract

Ewing sarcoma is a pediatric cancer driven by EWS-ETS transcription factor fusion oncoproteins in an otherwise stable genomic background. The majority of tumors express wild-type <i>TP53</i>, and thus, therapies targeting the p53 pathway would benefit most patients. To discover targets specific for <i>TP53</i> wild-type Ewing sarcoma, we used a genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 screening approach and identified and validated <i>MDM2</i>, <i>MDM4</i>, <i>USP7,</i> and <i>PPM1D</i> as druggable dependencies. The stapled peptide inhibitor of MDM2 and MDM4, ATSP-7041, showed anti-tumor efficacy in vitro and in multiple mouse models. The USP7 inhibitor, P5091, and the Wip1/<i>PPM1D</i> inhibitor, GSK2830371, decreased the viability of Ewing sarcoma cells. The combination of ATSP-7041 with P5091, GSK2830371, and chemotherapeutic agents showed synergistic action on the p53 pathway. The effects of the inhibitors, including the specific USP7 inhibitor XL-188, were rescued by concurrent <i>TP53</i> knockout, highlighting the essentiality of intact p53 for the observed cytotoxic activities.