Dual Targeting of DNA and EGFR by ZYH005 Induces DNA Damage and Mitotic Catastrophe in Glioblastoma

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive, therapy-resistant brain tumor with limited treatment options. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) drives GBM pathogenesis. Here, we investigate ZYH005 (Z5), a brain-penetrant DNA intercalator with low systemic toxicity, as a novel therapeutic agent. Z5 potently inhibits the proliferation of GBM cell lines and patient-derived glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) in vitro and suppresses tumor growth in orthotopic GSCs-derived mouse models, significantly prolonging survival without apparent toxicity. Mechanistically, Z5 exerts potent anti-GBM activity through a dual mechanism: DNA intercalation-induced damage and targeted inhibition of EGFR. By specifically inhibiting EGFR at E762, Z5 not only enhances DNA damage by suppressing the DNA damage response in the nucleus but also disrupts the interaction between nuclear EGFR and WEE1, leading to impaired WEE1/CDC2 signaling and G2/M checkpoint failure. Extranuclearly, Z5 further enhances its anti-GBM efficacy by inhibiting the canonical EGFR downstream pathways, mTOR, and ERK. These combined actions lead to cell cycle arrest and mitotic catastrophe. Our findings establish Z5 as a promising clinical candidate for classical GBM, employing a unique dual mechanism that overcomes EGFR-targeted and DNA-damaging therapy limitations by synergistically targeting DNA and EGFR with high efficacy, advancing understanding of EGFR–WEE1 biology, and supporting clinical development.

Keywords

DNA damage / epidermal growth factor receptor–WEE1 axis / glioblastoma / mitotic catastrophe

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