De novo pyrimidine biosynthesis inhibition synergizes with BCL-XL targeting in pancreatic cancer

Oncogenic KRAS, the genetic driver of 90% of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC), induces a metabolic rewiring characterized, in part, by dependency on de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis. Pharmacologic inhibition of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), an enzyme in the de novo pyrimidine synthesis pathway, delays pancreatic tumor growth in vivo; however, limited monotherapy efficacy suggests compensatory pathways and that combinatorial strategies are required for enhanced efficacy. Here, we use an integrated metabolomic, quantitative temporal proteomic and in vitro and in vivo DHODH inhibitor anchored CRISPR/Cas9 genetic screening approach to identify compensatory pathways to DHODH inhibition (DHODHi) and targets for combination strategies. We demonstrate that DHODHi alters the apoptotic regulatory proteome thereby enhancing sensitivity to inhibitors of the anti-apoptotic BCL2L1 (BCL-XL) protein. Combinatorial regimens with DHODH and BCL-XL inhibition synergistically induce apoptosis in PDAC cell lines and patient-derived PDAC organoids. In vivo DHODH inhibition with Brequinar and BCL-XL degradation with DT2216, a proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC), significantly inhibits the growth of PDAC tumors. Our data defines mechanisms of adaptation to DHODH inhibition and identifies a combination therapy strategy in PDAC.