The AML Microenvironment Catalyzes a Step-Wise Evolution to Gilteritinib Resistance

Abstract

Our study details the stepwise evolution of gilteritinib resistance in FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Early resistance is mediated by the bone marrow microenvironment, which protects residual leukemia cells. Removing these supportive extrinsic ligands drives evolution of late, intrinsic resistance. Whole exome sequencing, CRISPR/Cas, metabolomics, proteomics, and pharmacologic approaches were used to mechanistically define both early and late resistance. Early resistant cells undergo metabolic reprogramming, grow more slowly, and are dependent upon Aurora kinase B (AURKB). Late resistant cells are characterized byexpansion of pre-existing NRAS mutant subclones and continued metabolic reprogramming. Our model closely mirrors the timing and mutations of AML patients treated with gilteritinib.Pharmacological inhibition of AURKB resensitized both early resistant cell cultures and primary leukemia cells from gilteritinib-treated AML patients. These findings support a combinatorial strategy to target early resistant AML cells with AURKB inhibitors and gilteritinib before the expansion of pre-existing resistance mutations occurs.