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Jin XF, Spöttl G, Maurer J, Nölting S, Auernhammer CJ. Inhibition of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in Neuroendocrine Tumors in vitro: Antitumoral Effects. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12020345. [PMID: 32033025 PMCID: PMC7072467 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12020345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Revised: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and aims: Inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by specific inhibitors is currently being investigated as an antitumoral strategy for various cancers. The role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in neuroendocrine tumors still needs to be further investigated. Methods: This study investigated the antitumor activity of the porcupine (PORCN) inhibitor WNT974 and the β-catenin inhibitor PRI-724 in human neuroendocrine tumor (NET) cell lines BON1, QGP-1, and NCI-H727 in vitro. NET cells were treated with WNT974, PRI-724, or small interfering ribonucleic acids against β-catenin, and subsequent analyses included cell viability assays, flow cytometric cell cycle analysis, caspase3/7 assays and Western blot analysis. Results: Treatment of NET cells with WNT974 significantly reduced NET cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner by inducing NET cell cycle arrest at the G1 and G2/M phases without inducing apoptosis. WNT974 primarily blocked Wnt/β-catenin signaling by the dose- and time-dependent downregulation of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) phosphorylation and non-phosphorylated β-catenin and total β-catenin, as well as the genes targeting the latter (c-Myc and cyclinD1). Furthermore, the WNT974-induced reduction of NET cell viability occurred through the inhibition of GSK-3-dependent or independent signaling (including pAKT/mTOR, pEGFR and pIGFR signaling). Similarly, treatment of NET cells with the β-catenin inhibitor PRI-724 caused significant growth inhibition, while the knockdown of β-catenin expression by siRNA reduced NET tumor cell viability of BON1 cells but not of NCI-H727 cells. Conclusions: The PORCN inhibitor WNT974 possesses antitumor properties in NET cell lines by inhibiting Wnt and related signaling. In addition, the β-catenin inhibitor PRI-724 possesses antitumor properties in NET cell lines. Future studies are needed to determine the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in NET as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Feng Jin
- Department of Internal Medicine 4, University-Hospital, Klinikum der Universitaet Muenchen, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; (X.-F.J.); (G.S.); (J.M.); (S.N.)
| | - Gerald Spöttl
- Department of Internal Medicine 4, University-Hospital, Klinikum der Universitaet Muenchen, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; (X.-F.J.); (G.S.); (J.M.); (S.N.)
| | - Julian Maurer
- Department of Internal Medicine 4, University-Hospital, Klinikum der Universitaet Muenchen, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; (X.-F.J.); (G.S.); (J.M.); (S.N.)
| | - Svenja Nölting
- Department of Internal Medicine 4, University-Hospital, Klinikum der Universitaet Muenchen, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; (X.-F.J.); (G.S.); (J.M.); (S.N.)
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neuroendocrine Tumors of the GastroEnteroPancreatic System (GEPNET-KUM), Klinikum der Universitaet Muenchen, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Campus Grosshadern, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Christoph Josef Auernhammer
- Department of Internal Medicine 4, University-Hospital, Klinikum der Universitaet Muenchen, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; (X.-F.J.); (G.S.); (J.M.); (S.N.)
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neuroendocrine Tumors of the GastroEnteroPancreatic System (GEPNET-KUM), Klinikum der Universitaet Muenchen, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Campus Grosshadern, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Aspirin enhances cisplatin sensitivity of resistant non-small cell lung carcinoma stem-like cells by targeting mTOR-Akt axis to repress migration. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16913. [PMID: 31729456 PMCID: PMC6858356 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53134-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional chemotherapeutic regimens are unable to prevent metastasis of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) thereby leaving cancer incurable. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered to be the origin of this therapeutic limitation. In the present study we report that the migration potential of NSCLCs is linked to its CSC content. While cisplatin alone fails to inhibit the migration of CSC-enriched NSCLC spheroids, in a combination with non-steroidal anti inflammatory drug (NSAID) aspirin retards the same. A search for the underlying mechanism revealed that aspirin pre-treatment abrogates p300 binding both at TATA-box and initiator (INR) regions of mTOR promoter of CSCs, thereby impeding RNA polymerase II binding at those sites and repressing mTOR gene transcription. As a consequence of mTOR down-regulation, Akt is deactivated via dephosphorylation at Ser473 residue thereby activating Gsk3β that in turn causes destabilization of Snail and β-catenin, thus reverting epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, alone aspirin fails to hinder migration since it does not inhibit the Integrin/Fak pathway, which is highly activated in NSCLC stem cells. On the other hand, in aspirin pre-treated CSCs, cisplatin stalls migration by hindering the integrin pathway. These results signify the efficacy of aspirin in sensitizing NSCLC stem cells towards the anti-migration effect of cisplatin. Cumulatively, our findings raise the possibility that aspirin might emerge as a promising drug in combinatorial therapy with the existing chemotherapeutic agents that fail to impede migration of NSCLC stem cells otherwise. This may consequently lead to the advancement of remedial outcome for the metastatic NSCLCs.
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Cavalcoli F, Pusceddu S, Zilli A, Tamagno G, Femia D, Prinzi N, Travers J, Consonni D, Ciafardini C, Conte D, Massironi S. Effects of low-dose aspirin on clinical outcome and disease progression in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm. Scand J Gastroenterol 2019; 54:1111-1117. [PMID: 31454281 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2019.1656773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Objective: The chemopreventive effect of aspirin (ASA) has been observed in the setting of colorectal cancer and other solid neoplasms. Recently, ASA has demonstrated a promising anti-proliferative effect on GEP-NENs in vitro. However, the direct anti-neoplastic impact of ASA on GEP-NEN clinical outcome is yet to be clarified. Materials and methods: All the GEP-NEN patients followed up in three European Centers from January 2005 to September 2016 were retrospectively enrolled. Patients taking ASA in doses of 75-100 mg daily for cardiovascular prevention for at least six months were evaluated. The possible association between ASA and disease grading, staging, primary site, OS and PFS were evaluated. Results: Two hundred fifty one patients were included (117 males, median age 63 years). Of these, 64 patients were prescribed with ASA. No clear impact on OS or PFS was observed in GEP-NEN patients taking ASA compared to those not taking it. ASA intake was related with the patients' older age. At Cox multivariate analysis, stage IV and Ki-67 resulted independent predictors for OS and PFS. In the setting of intestinal NENs, a suggestive, but not statistically significant, protective role of ASA on PFS was observed [HR 0.41 (95% CI: 0.13-1.29)]. Conclusions: Despite ASA showed promising anti-proliferative effects in vitro and a chemopreventive action in NENs has been reported, a clear impact of ASA on survival in NENs has not emerged from the present study. However, in the subgroup of patients with small-intestine NENs, ASA showed a trend toward a protective role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Cavalcoli
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università Degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy
| | - Sara Pusceddu
- Medical Oncology, Unit 1, ENETS Center of Excellence, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Tumori Milano , Milan , Italy
| | - Alessandra Zilli
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università Degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy
| | - Gianluca Tamagno
- Department of Endocrinology/Diabetes, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Daniela Femia
- Medical Oncology, Unit 1, ENETS Center of Excellence, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Tumori Milano , Milan , Italy
| | - Natalie Prinzi
- Medical Oncology, Unit 1, ENETS Center of Excellence, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Tumori Milano , Milan , Italy
| | - John Travers
- Department of Endocrinology/Diabetes, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Dario Consonni
- Epidemiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milan , Italy
| | - Clorinda Ciafardini
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università Degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy
| | - Dario Conte
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università Degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy
| | - Sara Massironi
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università Degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy
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Aristizabal Prada ET, Heinzle V, Knösel T, Nölting S, Spöttl G, Maurer J, Spitzweg C, Angele M, Schmidt N, Beuschlein F, Stalla GK, Blaser R, Kuhn KA, Auernhammer CJ. Tropomyosin receptor kinase: a novel target in screened neuroendocrine tumors. Endocr Relat Cancer 2018; 25:547-560. [PMID: 29563190 DOI: 10.1530/erc-17-0201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) inhibitors are investigated as a novel targeted therapy in various cancers. We investigated the in vitro effects of the pan-Trk inhibitor GNF-5837 in human neuroendocrine tumor (NET) cells. The human neuroendocrine pancreatic BON1, bronchopulmonary NCI-H727 and ileal GOT1 cell lines were treated with GNF-5837 alone and in combination with everolimus. Cell viability decreased in a time- and dose-dependent manner in GOT1 cells in response to GNF-5837 treatment, while treatment in BON1 and NCI-H727 cells showed no effect on cellular viability. Trk receptor expression determined GNF-5837 sensitivity. GNF-5837 caused downregulation of PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling, Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK signaling, the cell cycle and increased apoptotic cell death. The combinational treatment of GNF-5837 with everolimus showed a significant enhancement in inhibition of cell viability vs single substance treatments, due to a cooperative PI3K-Akt-mTOR and Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK pathway downregulation, as well as an enhanced cell cycle component downregulation. Immunohistochemical staining for Trk receptors were performed using a tissue microarray containing 107 tumor samples of gastroenteropancreatic NETs. Immunohistochemical staining with TrkA receptor and pan-Trk receptor antibodies revealed a positive staining in pancreatic NETs in 24.2% (8/33) and 33.3% (11/33), respectively. We demonstrated that the pan-Trk inhibitor GNF-5837 has promising anti-tumoral properties in human NET cell lines expressing the TrkA receptor. Immunohistochemical or molecular screening for Trk expression particularly in pancreatic NETs might serve as predictive marker for molecular targeted therapy with Trk inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Tatjana Aristizabal Prada
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neuroendocrine Tumors of the GastroEnteroPancreatic System (GEPNET-KUM), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Campus Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 2, University-Hospital, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 4, University-Hospital, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Vera Heinzle
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neuroendocrine Tumors of the GastroEnteroPancreatic System (GEPNET-KUM), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Campus Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 2, University-Hospital, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Knösel
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neuroendocrine Tumors of the GastroEnteroPancreatic System (GEPNET-KUM), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Campus Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Svenja Nölting
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neuroendocrine Tumors of the GastroEnteroPancreatic System (GEPNET-KUM), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Campus Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 2, University-Hospital, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 4, University-Hospital, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Gerald Spöttl
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neuroendocrine Tumors of the GastroEnteroPancreatic System (GEPNET-KUM), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Campus Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 2, University-Hospital, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 4, University-Hospital, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Julian Maurer
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neuroendocrine Tumors of the GastroEnteroPancreatic System (GEPNET-KUM), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Campus Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 2, University-Hospital, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 4, University-Hospital, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christine Spitzweg
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neuroendocrine Tumors of the GastroEnteroPancreatic System (GEPNET-KUM), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Campus Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 2, University-Hospital, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 4, University-Hospital, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Angele
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neuroendocrine Tumors of the GastroEnteroPancreatic System (GEPNET-KUM), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Campus Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, University-Hospital, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nina Schmidt
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neuroendocrine Tumors of the GastroEnteroPancreatic System (GEPNET-KUM), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Campus Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 2, University-Hospital, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 4, University-Hospital, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Felix Beuschlein
- Department of Internal Medicine 4, University-Hospital, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Klinik für Endokrinologie, Diabetologie und Klinische Ernährung, Universitätsspital Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Günter K Stalla
- Clinical Neuroendocrinology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Rainer Blaser
- Institute of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Klaus A Kuhn
- Institute of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Christoph J Auernhammer
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neuroendocrine Tumors of the GastroEnteroPancreatic System (GEPNET-KUM), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Campus Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 2, University-Hospital, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 4, University-Hospital, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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Aristizabal Prada ET, Auernhammer CJ. Targeted therapy of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours: preclinical strategies and future targets. Endocr Connect 2018; 7:R1-R25. [PMID: 29146887 PMCID: PMC5754510 DOI: 10.1530/ec-17-0286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Molecular targeted therapy of advanced neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) of the gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) system currently encompasses approved therapy with the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor everolimus and the multi-tyrosinkinase inhibitor sunitinib. However, clinical efficacy of these treatment strategies is limited by low objective response rates and limited progression-free survival due to tumour resistance. Further novel strategies for molecular targeted therapy of NETs of the GEP system are needed. This paper reviews preclinical research models and signalling pathways in NETs of the GEP system. Preclinical and early clinical data on putative novel targets for molecular targeted therapy of NETs of the GEP system are discussed, including PI3K, Akt, mTORC1/mTORC2, GSK3, c-Met, Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK, embryogenic pathways (Hedgehog, Notch, Wnt/beta-catenin, TGF-beta signalling and SMAD proteins), tumour suppressors and cell cycle regulators (p53, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) CDK4/6, CDK inhibitor p27, retinoblastoma protein (Rb)), heat shock protein HSP90, Aurora kinase, Src kinase family, focal adhesion kinase and epigenetic modulation by histone deacetylase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- E T Aristizabal Prada
- Department of Internal Medicine IVCampus Grosshadern, University-Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - C J Auernhammer
- Department of Internal Medicine IVCampus Grosshadern, University-Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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Lascaratos G, Chau KY, Zhu H, Gkotsi D, Kamal D, Gout I, Luthert PJ, Schapira AH, Garway-Heath DF. Systemic PTEN-Akt1-mTOR pathway activity in patients with normal tension glaucoma and ocular hypertension: A case series. Mitochondrion 2017; 36:96-102. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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The MTH1 inhibitor TH588 demonstrates anti-tumoral effects alone and in combination with everolimus, 5-FU and gamma-irradiation in neuroendocrine tumor cells. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0178375. [PMID: 28542590 PMCID: PMC5444855 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Modulation of the redox system in cancer cells has been considered a promising target for anti-cancer therapy. The novel MTH1 inhibitor TH588 proved tremendous potential in terms of cancer cell eradication, yet its specificity has been questioned by recent reports, indicating that TH588 may also induce cancer cell death by alternative mechanisms than MTH1 inhibition. Here we used a panel of heterogeneous neuroendocrine tumor cells in order to assess cellular mechanisms and molecular signaling pathways implicated in the effects of TH588 alone as well as dual-targeting approaches combining TH588 with everolimus, cytotoxic 5-fluorouracil or γ-irradiation. Our results reflect that TH588 alone efficiently decreased the survival of neuroendocrine cancer cells by PI3K-Akt-mTOR axis downregulation, increased apoptosis and oxidative stress. However, in the dual-targeting approaches cell survival was further decreased due to an even stronger downregulation of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR axis and augmentation of apoptosis but not oxidative stress. Furthermore, we could attribute TH588 chemo- and radio-sensitizing properties. Collectively our data not only provide insights into how TH588 exactly kills cancer cells but also depict novel perspectives for combinatorial treatment approaches encompassing TH588.
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Reuther C, Heinzle V, Spampatti M, Vlotides G, de Toni E, Spöttl G, Maurer J, Nölting S, Göke B, Auernhammer CJ. Cabozantinib and Tivantinib, but Not INC280, Induce Antiproliferative and Antimigratory Effects in Human Neuroendocrine Tumor Cells in vitro: Evidence for 'Off-Target' Effects Not Mediated by c-Met Inhibition. Neuroendocrinology 2016; 103:383-401. [PMID: 26338447 DOI: 10.1159/000439431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS The hepatocyte growth factor/transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor c-Met has been defined as a potential target in antitumoral treatment of various carcinomas. We aimed to investigate the direct effect of c-Met inhibition on neuroendocrine tumor cells in vitro. METHODS The effects of the multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitors cabozantinib and tivantinib and of the highly specific c-Met inhibitor INC280 were investigated in human pancreatic neuroendocrine BON1, bronchopulmonary NCI-H727 and midgut GOT1 cells in vitro. RESULTS INC280, cabozantinib and tivantinib inhibited c-Met phosphorylation, respectively. However, while equimolar concentrations (10 μM) of cabozantinib and tivantinib inhibited cell viability and cell migration, INC280 had no inhibitory effect. Knockdown experiments with c-Met siRNA also did not demonstrate effects on cell viability. Cabozantinib and tivantinib caused a G2 arrest in neuroendocrine tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS Our in vitro data suggest that c-Met inhibition alone is not sufficient to exert direct antitumoral or antimigratory effects in neuroendocrine tumor cells. The multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitors cabozantinib and tivantinib show promising antitumoral and antimigratory effects in neuroendocrine tumor cells, which are most probably 'off-target' effects, not mediated by c-Met.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Reuther
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Campus Grosshadern, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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Nölting S, Maurer J, Spöttl G, Aristizabal Prada ET, Reuther C, Young K, Korbonits M, Göke B, Grossman A, Auernhammer CJ. Additive Anti-Tumor Effects of Lovastatin and Everolimus In Vitro through Simultaneous Inhibition of Signaling Pathways. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0143830. [PMID: 26636335 PMCID: PMC4670204 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The mTORC1-inhibitor everolimus shows limited efficacy in treating patients with gastro-entero-pancreatic or pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), and poor outcome in patients with malignant pheochromocytoma or hepatic carcinoma. We speculated that any effect may be enhanced by antogonising other signaling pathways. Methods Therefore, we tested the effect of lovastatin—known to inhibit both ERK and AKT signaling—and everolimus, separately and in combination, on cell viability and signaling pathways in human midgut (GOT), pancreatic (BON1), and pulmonary (H727) NET, hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2, Huh7), and mouse pheochromocytoma (MPC, MTT) cell lines. Results Lovastatin and everolimus separately significantly reduced cell viability in H727, HepG2, Huh7, MPC and MTT cells at clinically relevant doses (P ≤ 0.05). However, high doses of lovastatin were necessary to affect GOT or BON1 cell viability. Clinically relevant doses of both drugs showed additive anti-tumor effects in H727, HepG2, Huh7, MPC and MTT cells (P ≤ 0.05), but not in BON1 or GOT cells. In all cell lines investigated, lovastatin inhibited EGFR and AKT signaling. Subsequently, combination treatment more strongly inhibited EGFR and AKT signaling than everolimus alone, or at least attenuated everolimus-induced EGFR or AKT activation. Vice versa, everolimus constantly decreased pp70S6K and combination treatment more strongly decreased pp70S6K than lovastatin alone, or attenuated lovastatin-induced p70S6K activation: in BON1 cells lovastatin-induced EGFR inhibition was least pronounced, possibly explaining the low efficacy and consequent absent additive effect. Conclusion In summary, clinically relevant doses of lovastatin and everolimus were effective separately and showed additive effects in 5 out of 7 cell lines. Our findings emphasize the importance of targeting several interacting signaling pathways simultaneously when attempting to attenuate tumor growth. However, the variable reactions of the different cell lines highlight the necessity to understand the unique molecular aberrations in any tumor. Nevertheless, this combination seems worthy of being tested in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Nölting
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Campus Grosshadern, University-Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Julian Maurer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Campus Grosshadern, University-Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Gerald Spöttl
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Campus Grosshadern, University-Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Elke Tatjana Aristizabal Prada
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Campus Grosshadern, University-Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Clemens Reuther
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Campus Grosshadern, University-Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Karen Young
- Department of Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Márta Korbonits
- Department of Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Burkhard Göke
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Campus Grosshadern, University-Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- University-Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ashley Grossman
- Department of Endocrinology, Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Christoph J. Auernhammer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Campus Grosshadern, University-Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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