sdz-psc-833 and 3-(6-isobutyl-9-methoxy-1-4-dioxo-1-2-3-4-6-7-12-12a-octahydropyrazino(1--2--1-6)pyrido(3-4-b)indol-3-yl)propionic-acid-tert-butyl-ester

Two ATP-binding cassette transporters, ABCB1/MDR1 and ABCG2/BCRP, are considered the most critical determinants for chemoresistance in hepatocellular carcinoma. However, their roles in the chemoresistance in liver cancer stem cells remain elusive. Here we explored the role of inhibition of MDR1 or ABCG2 in sensitizing liver cancer stem cells to doxorubicin, the most frequently used chemotherapeutic agent in treating liver cancer. We show that the inhibition of MDR1 or ABCG2 in Huh7 and PLC/PRF/5 cells using either pharmacological inhibitors or RNAi resulted in the elevated level of intracellular concentration of doxorubicin and the accompanied increased apoptosis as determined by confocal microscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, flow cytometry, and annexin V assay. Notably, the inhibition of MDR1 or ABCG2 led to the reversal of the chemoresistance, as evident from the enhanced death of the chemoresistant liver cancer stem cells in tumorsphere-forming assays. Thus, the elevation of effective intracellular concentration of doxorubicin via the inhibition of MDR1 or ABCG2 represents a promising future strategy that transforms doxorubicin from a traditional chemotherapy agent into a robust killer of liver cancer stem cells for patients undergoing transarterial chemoembolization.

Topics: ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Cyclosporins; Diketopiperazines; Doxorubicin; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Drug Synergism; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Gene Silencing; Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Neoplasm Proteins; Neoplastic Stem Cells; Up-Regulation

Imatinib and nilotinib interact with ABCB1 and ABCG2. However, whether they are substrates or inhibitors is a source of conjecture. Here, in vitro, Bcr-Abl kinase inhibition was used to elucidate the impact of ABCB1/ABCG2 overexpression on imatinib and nilotinib transport. High levels of ABCB1 protein in K562-Dox cells resulted in a significantly increased 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) compared with parental K562 cells for imatinib (IC(50)(IM); 9 µM to 19 µM, p = 0.002) and nilotinib (IC(50)(NIL); 345 nM to 620 nM, p = 0.013). This difference was abrogated by ABCB1 inhibitors. However, overexpression of ABCG2 did not significantly increase IC(50)(IM) or IC(50)(NIL) or significantly decrease IC(50) upon ABCG2 inhibition. Inhibition of ABCB1 but not ABCG2 resulted in a substantial increase in intracellular nilotinib when used at 150 nM but no increase when used at 2 µM. Imatinib and nilotinib appear to be transported by ABCB1 but do not interact strongly with ABCG2. Furthermore, ABCB1 efflux of nilotinib may be concentration-dependent with transport occurring at clinically relevant concentrations.

Topics: Adenosine; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; Benzamides; Biological Transport; Blotting, Western; Cyclosporins; Diketopiperazines; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Flow Cytometry; Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings; Humans; Imatinib Mesylate; Inhibitory Concentration 50; K562 Cells; Neoplasm Proteins; Piperazines; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Pyrimidines