An Inherited Allele Confers Prostate Cancer Progression and Drug Resistance via RFX6/HOXA10‐Orchestrated TGFβ Signaling

Abstract

Abstract Genetic and epigenetic alterations are cancer hallmark characteristics. However, the role of inherited cancer predisposition alleles in co‐opting lineage factor epigenetic reprogramming and tumor progression remains elusive. Here the FinnGen cohort phenome‐wide analysis, along with multiple genome‐wide association studies, has consistently identified the rs339331‐RFX6/6q22 locus associated with prostate cancer (PCa) risk across diverse populations. It is uncovered that rs339331 resides in a reprogrammed androgen receptor (AR) binding site in PCa tumors, with the T risk allele enhancing AR chromatin occupancy. RFX6, an AR‐regulated gene linked to rs339331, exhibits synergistic prognostic value for PCa recurrence and metastasis. This comprehensive in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate the oncogenic functions of RFX6 in promoting PCa cell proliferation and metastasis. Mechanistically, RFX6 upregulates HOXA10 that profoundly correlates with adverse PCa outcomes and is pivotal in RFX6‐mediated PCa progression, facilitating the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and modulating the TGFβ/SMAD signaling axis. Clinically, HOXA10 elevation is associated with increased EMT scores, tumor advancement and PCa recurrence. Remarkably, reducing RFX6 expression restores enzalutamide sensitivity in resistant PCa cells and tumors. This findings reveal a complex interplay of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in PCa pathogenesis and drug resistance, centered around disrupted prostate lineage AR signaling and abnormal RFX6 expression.

Keywords

• androgen receptor binding site reprogramming
• drug resistance
• genome‐wide and phenome‐wide analysis
• prostate cancer predisposition and progression
• rs339331/RFX6/6q22 locus