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AZD3409 inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells with intrinsic resistance to the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib

Authors :
Letizia Cito
Maria Napolitano
Anna Maria Rachiglio
Antonella Guzzo
Antonella De Luca
Nicola Normanno
Amelia D'Alessio
Monica R. Maiello
Adele Carotenuto
Source :
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. 102:275-282
Publication Year :
2006
Publisher :
Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2006.

Abstract

AKT and MAPK signaling are involved in the resistance of breast cancer cells to the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib. RAS proteins are upstream mediators that transfer messages from surface receptors to intracellular signal transducers including MAPK and AKT pathways. AZD3409 is a novel prenyl inhibitor that has shown activity against both farnesyl transferase and geranylgeranyl transferase in isolated enzyme studies. We explored the activity of AZD3409 on breast cancer cell lines with high (SK-Br-3), intermediate (MDA-MB-361) or low (MDA-MB-468) sensitivity to gefitinib. We found that AZD3409 inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner, with the MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-361 cell lines showing higher sensitivity as compared with SK-Br-3 cells. Treatment with AZD3409 produced a significant reduction in the levels of activation of AKT in the three cell lines. AZD3409 also induced an increase in the expression of p27kip-1 and of hypophosphorylated forms of pRb2 in MDA-MB-468 cells that was associated with accumulation of cells in G0/G1 and the appearance of a sub-G1 peak suggestive of apoptosis. In contrast, AZD3409 produced a G2 arrest associated with reduced expression of pRb2 in MDA-MB-361 cells. A synergistic anti-tumor effect was observed when MDA-MB-468 or MDA-MB-361 cells were treated with both AZD3409 and gefitinib, whereas this combination was only additive in SK-Br-3 cells. However, treatment of breast cancer cells with AZD3409 and gefitinib did not produce a more significant blockade of AKT signaling as compared with gefitinib alone. These data suggest that AZD3409 might be active in gefitinib-resistant breast carcinoma.

Details

ISSN :
15737217 and 01676806
Volume :
102
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....e27255bdd0cc77f5d600693d3e2767bb
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-006-9340-7