UC San Diego

The incidence and mortality of high-grade endometrial cancers are increasing, and heterozygous hotspot mutations in PPP2R1A are drivers of the most aggressive forms of uterine cancer. PPP2R1A encodes the Aα scaffolding subunit of the heterotrimeric phosphatase PP2A. These recurrent mutations, specifically at the Pro¹⁷⁹ and Ser²⁵⁶ residues, disrupt the binding of tumor-suppressive substrate-directing B56 and B55 subunits to the PP2A scaffolding subunit while maintaining binding to other regulatory subunits. Here, we identified a series of molecular glues that correct PP2A trimer formation in the context of the P179R (Pro¹⁷⁹→Arg) and S256F (Ser²⁵⁶→Phe) mutants. A small-molecule library was designed to fit into the pocket at the binding interface of the Aα/B56α/C heterotrimer. The lead molecule, RPT04402, promoted B56α heterotrimerization to the Aα^P179R and Aα^S256F mutant scaffolds. In mice, RPT04402 treatment drove tumor regressions and extended median survival in multiple independent mutant cell lines and patient-derived xenografts, proving a robust single-agent activity. This activity was abrogated upon knockout of B56α. Combined, these data demonstrate that PP2A molecular glues are a promising first-in-class therapy that might benefit patients with PPP2R1A mutant uterine cancer by targeting a driver of this aggressive disease.