Targeting FGFR signaling overcomes therapeutic resistance and immune evasion in oncogenic PIK3CA-driven serous-like endometrial cancer

Serous endometrial cancer (SEC) is an aggressive subtype of endometrial cancer (EC) with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Here, we developed a clinically relevant, immunocompetent serous-like mouse model incorporating oncogenic <i>PIK3CA</i> mutation, <i>Trp53</i> loss, and <i>MYC</i> overexpression. Using this model together with human EC cell lines, patient-derived organoids (PDOs), xenografts, and patient datasets, we investigated mechanisms underlying resistance to PI3Kα-targeted therapy. Single-cell profiling reveals that FGFR1/2 upregulation associates with intrinsic resistance, whereas FGFR3 characterizes acquired resistance. Dual FGFR and PI3Kα inhibition produced superior tumor control compared with either agent alone. Mechanistically, FGFR signaling promotes immune evasion by downregulating MHC-I/HLA-mediated antigen presentation and enriching M2-type tumor-associated macrophages. FGFR inhibition reversed these changes and synergized with anti-PD-1 therapy to enhance antitumor immune responses and establish durable immune memory. Collectively, these findings identify FGFR signaling as a key driver of therapeutic resistance and immune escape in SEC and support FGFR-targeted combination strategies.

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Publication Details

Journal
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Published
2026-02-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.02.16.706009
Primary Topic
Fibroblast Growth Factor Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Targeting FGFR signaling overcomes therapeutic resistance and immune evasion in oncogenic PIK3CA-driven serous-like endometrial cancer

Jing Ni, Y Zhang, Guruprasad Ananda, Erica Holdridge et al.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Fibroblast Growth Factor Research
article

Targeting FGFR signaling overcomes therapeutic resistance and immune evasion in oncogenic PIK3CA-driven serous-like endometrial cancer

Jing Ni, Y Zhang, Guruprasad Ananda, Erica Holdridge, M R Nucci, Bose Kochupurakkal, Zhe Wang, Shaozhen Xie, Jean J. Zhao, Changli Qian, Kaifu Chen, P. A. Konstantinopoulos, Tao Jiang, Xin Cheng, Ursula Matulonis, Renlei Ji, Elena V Ivanova, Hao Gu, Gordon J. Freeman, Joyce Liu
article en

Abstract

Serous endometrial cancer (SEC) is an aggressive subtype of endometrial cancer (EC) with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Here, we developed a clinically relevant, immunocompetent serous-like mouse model incorporating oncogenic <i>PIK3CA</i> mutation, <i>Trp53</i> loss, and <i>MYC</i> overexpression. Using this model together with human EC cell lines, patient-derived organoids (PDOs), xenografts, and patient datasets, we investigated mechanisms underlying resistance to PI3Kα-targeted therapy. Single-cell profiling reveals that FGFR1/2 upregulation associates with intrinsic resistance, whereas FGFR3 characterizes acquired resistance. Dual FGFR and PI3Kα inhibition produced superior tumor control compared with either agent alone. Mechanistically, FGFR signaling promotes immune evasion by downregulating MHC-I/HLA-mediated antigen presentation and enriching M2-type tumor-associated macrophages. FGFR inhibition reversed these changes and synergized with anti-PD-1 therapy to enhance antitumor immune responses and establish durable immune memory. Collectively, these findings identify FGFR signaling as a key driver of therapeutic resistance and immune escape in SEC and support FGFR-targeted combination strategies.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Broad Institute (US), Brigham and Women's Hospital (US), Boston Children's Hospital (US), Harvard University (US), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (US), Center for Systems Biology (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 51%
Fibroblast Growth Factor Research
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