Resistance to BRAF inhibitors drives melanoma sensitivity to Chk1 inhibition

Abstract

BRAF inhibitor-resistant melanomas (BRAFiR) acquire (epi)genetic and functional alterations that enable them to evade alternative treatments. Identifying these alterations is critical to advancing treatment strategies. Here, we explored the effect of Chk1 inhibition (Chk1i) on BRAFiR cells, revealing higher sensitivity compared to treatment-naive cells both in vitro and in vivo. Using FUCCI-labeling and time-lapse microscopy, we show that S phase progression is required for Chk1i-induced cytotoxicity in BRAFiR cells, but not in treatment-naive cells. Replication stress markers, including reduced BrdU incorporation and increased phospho-RPA and {gamma}H2AX, were exclusive to BRAFiR cells exposed to Chk1i. Untreated BRAFiR cells exhibited upregulated DNA replication genes, reduced progressing forks and increased origin firing, suggesting intrinsic replication changes. MAPK pathway reactivation in treatment-naive cells mimicked BRAFiR traits, increasing sensitivity to Chk1i. These findings indicate that Chk1i exploits elevated replication stress specifically in BRAFiR, highlighting its therapeutic potential in overcoming MAPK inhibitor resistance in melanoma.