Blocking SHP2 benefits FGFR2 inhibitor and overcomes its resistance in <i>FGFR2</i>-amplified gastric cancer.

Abstract

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) is an important member of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family. <i>FGFR2</i> amplification occurs at a high frequency in gastric cancer (GC) and has been proven to be closely associated with poor prognosis and insensitivity to chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Current FGFR2-targeted therapies have limited efficacy. Hence, how to enhance efficacy and reverse resistance are urgent problems clinically. Src homology region 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2) serves as the shared downstream mediator of all RTKs and a prominent immunosuppressive molecule. In this study, we identified <i>FGFR2</i> amplification in 6.2% (10/161) of GC patients in our center. Then we showed that dual blocking SHP2 and FGFR2 enhanced the effects of FGFR2 inhibitor (FGFR2i) in <i>FGFR2</i>-amplified GC both in vitro (human GC cell lines) and in vivo (mouse xenograft tumor models) via suppressing RAS/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways. We further showed that it overcame FGFR2i resistance by reversing the feedback activation mediated by other RTKs and continuously suppressing FGFR2-initiated downstream pathways. Notably, SHP2 blockade could suppress PD-1 expression and promoted IFN-γ secretion of CD8⁺ T cells, enhancing the cytotoxic functions of T cells in tumor immune microenvironment. Overall, our findings suggest that dual blocking SHP2 and FGFR2 is a compelling rationale with both targeted treatment and immune regulation for <i>FGFR2</i>-amplified GC.