Increased mRNA translation delays lung adenocarcinoma initiation and exposes a therapeutic vulnerability to MEK inhibitors

Although protein synthesis inhibitors are being evaluated as anti-cancer agents, the dynamics of mRNA translation in early tumorigenesis are still poorly understood. We report that deletion of the mRNA-translation repressor, eIF4A2 in early KRAS-driven lung adenocarcinoma leads to a dysregulated protein synthesis landscape characterised by a strongly upregulated secretome, enlarged secretory compartments, increased oxidative metabolism and acquisition of senescence-like characteristics. Paradoxically, this overdriven protein synthesis landscape delays tumorigenesis and leads to appearance of clusters of non-proliferative, p21-positive KRAS-expressing cells in the lung. Administration of rapamycin to reduce mRNA translation suppresses senescence and restores tumorigenesis following eIF4A2 deletion. Importantly, some eIF4A2 knockout cells overcome senescence to form tumours that exhibit enhanced MAP-kinase signalling and, in contrast to eIF4A2+/+ lesions, these may be eradicated by administration of a MEK inhibitor. Thus, dysregulated mRNA translation exposes a potential therapeutic vulnerability in KRAS-driven lung adenocarcinoma by forcing cancer cells to rely on MEK signalling. Statement of significanceThe requirement for anabolism in cancers has led to the search for inhibitors of mRNA translation as anti-cancer agents. However, we report that increased rates of mRNA translation promote a senescence-like phenotype in KRAS-driven lung cancer which delays tumorigenesis and renders the resulting tumours sensitive to MEK inhibition.