Off-targets of BRAF inhibitors disrupt endothelial signaling and vascular barrier function

Abstract

Targeted therapies against mutant BRAF are effectively used in combination with MEK inhibitors (MEKi) to treat advanced melanoma. However, treatment success is affected by resistance and adverse events (AEs). Approved BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) show high levels of target promiscuity, which can contribute to these effects. The blood vessel lining is in direct contact with high plasma concentrations of BRAFi, but effects of the inhibitors in this cell type are unknown. Hence, we aimed to characterize responses to approved BRAFi for melanoma in the vascular endothelium. We showed that clinically approved BRAFi induced a paradoxical activation of endothelial MAPK signaling. Moreover, phosphoproteomics revealed distinct sets of off-targets per inhibitor. Endothelial barrier function and junction integrity were impaired upon treatment with vemurafenib and the next-generation dimerization inhibitor PLX8394, but not with dabrafenib or encorafenib. Together, these findings provide insights into the surprisingly distinct side effects of BRAFi on endothelial signaling and functionality. Better understanding of off-target effects could help to identify molecular mechanisms behind AEs and guide the continued development of therapies for BRAF-mutant melanoma.