Abstract 7584: The solute transported xCT (SLC7A11) modulates lysosome biogenesis and microRNA trafficking in drug resistant renal cell carcinoma

Abstract Multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) like sunitinib bind to over 50 kinases and inhibit several receptors such as VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3 receptors, PDGFRa and PDGFRb, RET, cKIT, and FLT3. TKIs are effective drugs for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) but intrinsic/acquired resistance remains a major hurdle. One of the proposed models for TKI resistance is drug sequestration by lysosomes. The solute transporter xCT is a cystine/glutamate antiporter that plays a role in the production of antioxidants in cancer cells. Our lab has found that SLC7A11, the gene that encodes xCT, is overexpressed in sunitinib resistant RCC cells. LAMP1 expression was also increased in sunitinib resistant RCC cells, suggesting an upregulation of lysosome biogenesis. The biochemical knock down of SLC7A11 by shRNA showed a decrease in LAMP1 expression, suggesting a decrease in lysosome biogenesis. SEC24D is a key catalytic component of COPII complex involved in formation of exosomes and secretory pathways. Our preliminary data showed that reduction in xCT expression was associated with a decrease in SEC24D protein levels which was associated with a reduction in the extracellular export and, consequently, an increase in intracytoplasmic levels of miRNA 605, a known tumor suppressor. We are currently testing the hypothesis that xCT may modulate lysosomes biogenesis and micro-RNA trafficking in several clear cell and translation renal cell carcinoma models. In summary, a better understanding of the role of xCT in the regulation of intracytoplasmic organelles may lead to the identification of a novel therapeutic strategy to overcome TKI resistance in RCC. Citation Format: Abbas Jawadwala, Christopher Rupert, Remi Adelaiye-Ogala, Roberto Pili, Sreenivasulu Chintala, Ashley Orillion, May Elbanna, Nur Damayanti, Ilaria Delle Fontane. The solute transported xCT (SLC7A11) modulates lysosome biogenesis and microRNA trafficking in drug resistant renal cell carcinoma abstract. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts) ; 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84 (6Suppl): Abstract nr 7584.