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3D epigenomic remodelling mediated by Foxa1 drives gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer.

Xuelong Wang·Yizhi Cao·Jiangning Gu·Tuoya Qi·Jiayi Guo·Yuanjie Yang·Haoyu Tang·Tianci Shen·Qingzhong Wang·Xin Cao·Kai Qin·Jiabin Jin
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Abstract

Gemcitabine remains a cornerstone treatment for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), yet the emergence of resistance constitutes a major clinical challenge with poorly understood epigenomic mechanisms. Here, we identified the pioneer transcription factor Foxa1 as a master regulator of gemcitabine resistance through multi-omics analysis. Mechanistically, Foxa1 drives widespread super-enhancer (SE) reprogramming and 3D genome remodelling in resistant cells, which coordinately activates the expression of key resistance genes, notably Rrm1 and Cdadc1. This is accompanied by increased chromatin accessibility, elevated H3K27ac enrichment at SEs, and enhanced Foxa1 binding at regulatory elements. Moreover, post-translational stabilization of Foxa1 via USP7-mediated deubiquitination sustains this epigenomic program. Genetic ablation of Foxa1 or specific SE regions near Rrm1 resensitizes resistant cells to gemcitabine. Building upon this mechanism, we demonstrate that bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) inhibitors, which disrupt SE function, potently reverse resistance. Notably, the clinical-stage BET inhibitor AZD5153, in combination with gemcitabine, achieves robust tumor suppression and overcomes resistance in cell-derived xenograft (CDX) models by dismantling the Foxa1-mediated resistant transcriptome and reinvigorating drug sensitivity. Our findings establish Foxa1-orchestrated enhancer reprogramming as a fundamental mechanism of gemcitabine resistance and unveil a promising epigenetic therapy to restore treatment efficacy in PDAC.

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Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 3-alphaGemcitabineHumansDeoxycytidinePancreatic NeoplasmsDrug Resistance, NeoplasmAnimalsSuper EnhancersCell Line, TumorMiceGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticXenograft Model Antitumor AssaysCarcinoma, Pancreatic DuctalEpigenesis, GeneticEpigenomicsAntimetabolites, Antineoplastic3D genomeFoxa1Gemcitabine resistancePancreatic cancerSuper-enhancerJournal Article

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Xuelong Wang, Yizhi Cao, Jiangning Gu, Tuoya Qi, Jiayi Guo, Yuanjie Yang, Haoyu Tang, Tianci Shen, Qingzhong Wang, Xin Cao, Kai Qin, Jiabin Jin. 2026-07-15. 3D epigenomic remodelling mediated by Foxa1 drives gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2026.218721

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Journal Article resourceAnimals subjectCell Line, Tumor subjectEpigenesis, Genetic subjectGene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic subjectHumans subjectJournal Article subjectMice subject

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