Work

Dual inhibition of PP2A and WEE1 induces apoptosis and mitotic catastrophe in cancer cells

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The serine/threonine phosphatase-2 (PP2A) controls mitogen-associated signaling and DNA replication. The WEE1 protein tyrosine kinase controls S phase progression and G2/M phase transition. Databases disclose that the levels of PP2A and WEE1 are associated with poor prognosis of leukemic patients (p = 0,0017/0,025; n = 54–163). We applied advanced, clinically used drugs that block PP2A and WEE1 to human cultured leukemia cells, primary pre-leukemic and chronic myeloid leukemia cells, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. Combined application of the drugs depleted cells in all cell cycle phases, synergistically triggered apoptosis, and evoked the induction of DNA stress foci and mitotic catastrophe. In 93 lymphoid, 40 myeloid, and 47 pancreatic cancer cells, genetic depletion of PP2A-Cα and WEE1 stalls the proliferation of most cells. Unlike cancer cells, normal human immune cells are not killed upon inhibition of PP2A and WEE1. This is linked to higher expression of PP2A and WEE1 in chronic myeloid (n = 274), acute myeloid (n = 1858) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells (n = 1817) than in normal blood cells. These data suggest that pharmacological modulators of serine/threonine and tyrosine signaling allow targeted chemotherapy. • PP2A and WEE1 are adverse prognostic factors in acute myeloid leukemia. • Leukemia cells and pancreatic cancer cells are dependent on PP2A and WEE1. • PP2A and WEE1 inhibitors induce apoptosis in permanent and freshly isolated tumor cells. • Normal immune cells are not killed upon inhibition of PP2A and WEE1. • PP2A and WEE1 inhibitors trigger DNA stress and mitotic catastrophe in cancer cells.

Source: Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy

DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2026.119433