Trametinib Induces the Stabilization of a Dual <i>GNAQ</i> p.Gly48Leu- and <i>FGFR4</i> p.Cys172Gly-Mutated Uveal Melanoma. The Role of Molecular Modelling in Personalized Oncology

oleh: Fanny S. Krebs, Camille Gérard, Alexandre Wicky, Veronica Aedo-Lopez, Edoardo Missiaglia, Bettina Bisig, Mounir Trimech, Olivier Michielin, Krisztian Homicsko, Vincent Zoete

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2020-10-01

Deskripsi

We report a case of an uveal melanoma patient with <i>GNAQ</i> p.Gly48Leu who responded to MEK inhibition. At the time of the molecular analysis, the pathogenicity of the mutation was unknown. A tridimensional structural analysis showed that Gα<sub>q</sub> can adopt active and inactive conformations that lead to substantial changes, involving three important switch regions. Our molecular modelling study predicted that <i>GNAQ</i> p.Gly48Leu introduces new favorable interactions in its active conformation, whereas little or no impact is expected in its inactive form. This strongly suggests that <i>GNAQ</i> p.Gly48Leu is a possible tumor-activating driver mutation, consequently triggering the MEK pathway. In addition, we also found an <i>FGFR4</i> p.Cys172Gly mutation, which was predicted by molecular modelling analysis to lead to a gain of function by impacting the Ig-like domain 2 folding, which is involved in FGF binding and increases the stability of the homodimer. Based on these analyses, the patient received the MEK inhibitor trametinib with a lasting clinical benefit. This work highlights the importance of molecular modelling for personalized oncology.