KRAS<sup>G12D</sup>-driven pentose phosphate pathway remodeling imparts a targetable vulnerability synergizing with MRTX1133 for durable remissions in PDAC.

Jiang, Xiangyan; Wang, Tao; Zhao, Bin; Sun, Haonan; Dong, Yuman; Ma, Yong; Li, Zhigang; Wu, Yuxia et al. · Cell Rep Med · 2025

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The KRAS<sup>G12D</sup> inhibitor MRTX1133 shows the potential to revolutionize the treatment paradigm for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), yet presents challenges. Our findings indicate that KRAS<sup>G12D</sup> remodels a pentose phosphate pathway (PPP)-dominant central carbon metabolism pattern, facilitating malignant progression and resistance to MRTX1133 in PDAC. Mechanistically, KRAS<sup>G12D</sup> drives excessive degradation of p53 and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-mediated PPP reprogramming through retinoblastoma (Rb)/E2F1/p53 axis-regulated feedback loops that amplify ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2T (UBE2T) transcription. Genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition of UBE2T significantly suppresses PDAC progression and potentiates MRTX1133 efficacy. Leveraging structure advantages of the UBE2T inhibitor pentagalloylglucose (PGG), we develop a self-assembling nano co-delivery system with F-127, PGG, and MRTX1133. This system enhances the efficacy of PGG and MRTX1133, achieving durable remissions (85% overall response rate) and long-term survival (100% progression-free survival) in patient-derived xenografts and spontaneous PDAC mice. This study reveals the role of KRAS<sup>G12D</sup>-preferred PPP reprogramming in MRTX1133 resistance and proposes a potentially therapeutic strategy for KRAS<sup>G12D</sup>-mutated PDAC.

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