Osalmid, a Novel Identified RRM2 Inhibitor, Enhances Radiosensitivity of Esophageal Cancer

PURPOSE

Esophageal cancer (EC) is an aggressive malignancy and is often resistant to currently available therapies. Inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase small subunit M2 (RRM2) in tumors is speculated to mediate chemosensitization. Previous studies have reported that Osalmid could act as an RRM2 inhibitor. We explored whether RRM2 was involved in radioresistance and the antitumor effects of Osalmid in EC.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

RRM2 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry in EC tissues. The effects of Osalmid on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle were assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphhenyl tetrazolium, colony formation, and flow cytometry assays. DNA damage, cell apoptosis, and senescence induced by Osalmid or ionizing radiation (IR) alone, or both, were detected with immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, Western blot, and β-galactosidase staining. A xenograft mouse model of EC was used to investigate the potential synergistic effects of Osalmid and IR in vivo.

RESULTS

The expression of RRM2 in treatment-resistant EC tissues is much higher than in treatment-sensitive EC, and strong staining of RRM2 was correlated with shorter overall survival. We observed direct cytotoxicity of Osalmid in EC cells. Osalmid also produced inhibition of the ERK1/2 signal transduction pathway and substantially enhanced IR-induced DNA damage, apoptosis, and senescence. Furthermore, treatment with Osalmid and IR significantly suppressed tumor growth in xenograft EC models without additional toxicity to the hematologic system and internal organs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed that RRM2 played a vital role in radioresistance in EC, and Osalmid synergized with IR to exert its antitumor effects both in vitro and in vivo.