Molecular and Cellular Effects of NEDD8-Activating Enzyme Inhibition in Myeloma

The NEDD8 activating enzyme (NAE) is upstream of the 20S proteasome in the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway and catalyzes the first step in the neddylation pathway. NEDD8 modification of cullins is required for ubiquitination of cullin-ring ligases (CRLs), which regulate degradation of a distinct subset of proteins. The more targeted impact of NAE on protein degradation prompted us to study MLN4924, an investigational NAE inhibitor, in preclinical multiple myeloma (MM) models. In vitro treatment with MLN4924 led to dose-dependent decrease of viability (EC50=25-150nM) in a panel of human MM cell lines. MLN4924 was similarly active against a bortezomib-resistant ANBL-6 subline and its bortezomib-sensitive parental cells. MLN4924 had sub-µM activity (EC50 values <500nM) against primary CD138+ MM patient cells and exhibited at least additive effect when combined with dexamethasone, doxorubicin and bortezomib against MM.1S cells. The bortezomib-induced compensatory up-regulation of transcripts for ubiquitin/proteasome was not observed with MLN4924 treatment, suggesting distinct functional roles of NAE vs 20S proteasome. MLN4924 was well tolerated at doses up to 60mg/kg 2x daily and significantly reduced tumor burden in both a subcutaneous and a orthotopic mouse model of MM. These studies provide the framework for the clinical investigation of MLN4924 in MM.