Dual targeting of G9a and DNMTs induces anti-tumour effects in multiple myeloma.

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a haematological disease of the plasma cell that remains clinically challenging despite the development of novel therapies. Epigenetic alterations have been demonstrated to contribute to MM pathogenesis, yet comprehensive studies into the links between different epigenetic regulatory systems in myeloma progression and drug resistance though clinically relevant, are largely lacking. G9a and the DNMTs are epigenetic modifiers that exhibit increased activity in MM, correlating with poor prognosis. To investigate the partnership between G9a and DNMTs, we used a combinatorial treatment approach involving small molecule inhibitors. In-depth molecular analysis of the H3K9me2 distribution, the DNA methylome and the transcriptome of MM revealed a silencing mechanism involving G9a and DNMTs, that represses key tumour suppressor genes. Moreover, dual inhibition of G9a and DNMTs reduced cell viability in primary MM cells and induced apoptosis in MM cell lines. This was accompanied by increased expression of apoptosis-related genes and decreased protein levels of the MM-associated oncoproteins IRF4, XBP1, and MYC. To assess the translational relevance of our in vitro findings, we evaluated the combination therapy in an in vivo preclinical xenograft MM model. Specifically, we demonstrate that the G9a inhibitor A366 synergize with the DNMTs inhibitor Decitabine to promote a robust tumour regression in vivo. Together, these data provide new insights into the cooperative role of G9a and the DNMTs in regulating gene silencing in MM and support dual epigenetic inhibition as a promising therapeutic strategy.