Ligand-Independent EPHA2 Signaling Drives the Adoption of a Targeted Therapy–Mediated Metastatic Melanoma Phenotype

Many patients with BRAF inhibitor resistance can develop disease at new sites, suggesting that drug-induced selection pressure drives metastasis. Here, we used mass spectrometry-based phosphoproteomic screening to uncover ligand-independent EPHA2 signaling as an adaptation to BRAF inhibitor therapy that led to the adoption of a metastatic phenotype. The EPHA2-mediated invasion was AKT-dependent and readily reversible upon removal of the drug as well as through PI3K and AKT inhibition. In xenograft models, BRAF inhibition led to the development of EPHA2-positive metastases. A retrospective analysis of patients with melanoma on BRAF inhibitor therapy showed that 68% of those failing therapy develop metastases at new disease sites, compared with 35% of patients on dacarbazine. Further IHC staining of melanoma specimens taken from patients on BRAF inhibitor therapy as well as metastatic samples taken from patients failing therapy showed increased EPHA2 staining. We suggest that inhibition of ligand-independent EPHA2 signaling may limit metastases associated with BRAF inhibitor therapy.