Targeting PDK4 to mitigate osimertinib-induced cardiotoxicity: Insights into mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum crosstalk and necroptosis

Background: Osimertinib is a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) widely used in non-small cell lung Cancer. However, its cardiotoxicity has raised increasing clinical concern. The underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Methods: We evaluated the effects of osimertinib on cardiac structure and function in mice and assessed cell viability, mitochondrial function, and cell death pathways in H9C2 and AC16 cardiomyocytes. Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs), mitochondrial calcium overload, and Necroptosis were analyzed by immunofluorescence, transmission electron microscopy, calcium probes, and Western blotting. Genetic and pharmacologic modulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) was used to probe its functional role. Protein-protein interactions were examined by co-immunoprecipitation and molecular docking.

Results: Osimertinib caused cardiac dysfunction and myocardial damage in vivo and triggered Necroptosis in cardiomyocytes, characterized by increased phosphorylation of RIP3 and MLKL. Mechanistically, osimertinib upregulated PDK4, which promoted excessive MAM formation, mitochondrial calcium overload, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Co-immunoprecipitation revealed that PDK4 facilitated the interaction between BAP31 and FIS1, key tethering proteins at MAMs. Silencing PDK4 or inhibiting Necroptosis with necrosulfonamide alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. Conversely, PDK4 overexpression alone induced MAM formation, mitochondrial depolarization, and necroptotic signaling. Importantly, FIS1 knockdown mimicked the protective effects of PDK4 silencing. These results demonstrate that PDK4 contributes to osimertinib-induced cardiotoxicity by regulating MAM-associated Necroptosis.

Conclusion: Our findings identify a novel role for PDK4 in mediating osimertinib-induced cardiomyocyte Necroptosis via MAM formation and mitochondrial calcium overload. Targeting the PDK4-BAP31-FIS1 axis may offer a potential therapeutic strategy to mitigate the cardiotoxic effects of osimertinib.

Cardiotoxicity; Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes; Necroptosis; Osimertinib; PDK4.