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EZH2 Inhibition Induces an Integrated Stress Response Driving Glutamine-Dependent Vulnerability in TNBC

Deblois, G.; Porras, L.; Fukano, M.; Gironne, A.-S.; Quadri, E.; Alzial, G.; Philippeau, H.; Alaessa, Y.; Monast, A.; Gorse, F.; St-Arnaud, M.; De Sa Tavares Russo, M.; MADER, s.; Avizonis, D.; Lemieux, S.; Park, M. M.

2025-09-09 cancer biology
10.1101/2025.09.04.674332 bioRxiv
Show abstract

EZH2, the catalytic subunit of Polycomb Repressive Complex II, is overexpressed and associated with poor prognosis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Although EZH2 inhibition induces significant changes in chromatin landscapes and gene expression, it has a limited impact on the growth of TNBC models, suggesting adaptive compensatory mechanisms. Here, we demonstrate that EZH2 inhibition leads to the accumulation of misfolded proteins and double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), triggering an essential integrated stress response (ISR) through PKR and PERK activation. By inducing ISR-mediated ATF4 activation, EZH2 inhibition enhances amino acid flux and promotes glutaminolysis, in turn activating mTOR signaling to support TNBC cell survival. Pharmacological targeting of this metabolic adaptation with a glutaminase (GLS) inhibitor in combination with EZH2 inhibition significantly impairs TNBC cell proliferation and tumor growth. These findings reveal a stress-driven metabolic adaptation that sustains TNBC survival upon EZH2 blockade and highlight inhibition of this pathway as a strategy to enhance the efficacy of EZH2 inhibitors in TNBC.

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