Altered splicing of ATG16‐L1 mediates acquired resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors of EGFR by blocking autophagy in non‐small cell lung cancer

Despite the initial efficacy of using tyrosine kinase inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR‐TKIs) for treating patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), resistance inevitably develops. Recent studies highlight a link between alternative splicing and cancer drug response. Therefore, we aimed to identify deregulated splicing events that play a role in resistance to EGFR‐TKI. By using RNA sequencing, reverse‐transcription PCR (RT‐PCR), and RNA interference, we showed that overexpression of a splice variant of the autophagic gene ATG16‐L1 that retains exon 8 and encodes the β‐isoform of autophagy‐related protein 16‐1 (ATG16‐L1 β) concurs acquired resistance to EGFR‐TKI in NSCLC cells. Using matched biopsies, we found increased levels of ATG16‐L1 β at the time of progression in 3 of 11 NSCLC patients treated with EGFR‐TKI. Mechanistically, gefitinib‐induced autophagy was impaired in resistant cells that accumulated ATG16‐L1 β. Neutralization of ATG16‐L1 β restored autophagy in response to gefitinib, induced apoptosis, and inhibited the growth of in ovo tumor xenografts. Conversely, overexpression of ATG16‐L1 β in parental sensitive cells prevented gefitinib‐induced autophagy and increased cell survival. These results support a role of defective autophagy in acquired resistance to EGFR‐TKIs and identify splicing regulation of ATG16‐L1 as a therapeutic vulnerability that could be explored for improving EGFR‐targeted cancer therapy.