A Screening of Epigenetic Therapeutic Targets for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Reveals PADI4 and KDM6B as Promising Candidates

Despite advances in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for lung cancer, new therapies targeting metastasis by the specific regulation of cancer genes are needed. In this study, we screened a small library of epigenetic inhibitors in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines and evaluated 38 epigenetic targets for their potential role in metastatic NSCLC. The potential candidates were ranked by a streamlined approach using in silico and in vitro experiments based on publicly available databases and evaluated by real-time qPCR target gene expression, cell viability and invasion assays, and transcriptomic analysis. The survival rate of patients with lung adenocarcinoma is inversely correlated with the gene expression of eight epigenetic targets, and a systematic review of the literature confirmed that four of them have already been identified as targets for the treatment of NSCLC. Using nontoxic doses of the remaining inhibitors, KDM6B and PADI4 were identified as potential targets affecting the invasion and migration of metastatic lung cancer cell lines. Transcriptomic analysis of KDM6B and PADI4 treated cells showed altered expression of important genes related to the metastatic process. In conclusion, we showed that KDM6B and PADI4 are promising targets for inhibiting the metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma cancer cells.