dactolisib and Adenocarcinoma

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway is critical for multiple important cellular functions, and is one of the most commonly altered pathways in human cancers. We previously developed a mouse model in which colon cancers were initiated by a dominant active PI3K p110-p85 fusion protein. In that model, well-differentiated mucinous adenocarcinomas developed within the colon and initiated through a non-canonical mechanism that is not dependent on WNT signaling. To assess the potential relevance of PI3K mutations in human cancers, we sought to determine if one of the common mutations in the human disease could also initiate similar colon cancers. Mice were generated expressing the Pik3caH1047R mutation, the analog of one of three human hotspot mutations in this gene. Mice expressing a constitutively active PI3K, as a result of this mutation, develop invasive adenocarcinomas strikingly similar to invasive adenocarcinomas found in human colon cancers. These tumors form without a polypoid intermediary and also lack nuclear CTNNB1 (β-catenin), indicating a non-canonical mechanism of tumor initiation mediated by the PI3K pathway. These cancers are sensitive to dual PI3K/mTOR inhibition indicating dependence on the PI3K pathway. The tumor tissue remaining after treatment demonstrated reduction in cellular proliferation and inhibition of PI3K signaling.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Carcinogenesis; Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Colonic Neoplasms; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Female; Genetic Association Studies; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Imidazoles; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Mutation, Missense; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors; Quinolines; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Tumor Burden

The phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays a significant role in colorectal adenocarcinoma. NVP-BEZ235 (dactolisib) is a novel dual inhibitor of PI3K/mTOR. The effects of NVP-BEZ235 in human colorectal adenocarcinoma are still unclear. In the present study, we aimed to explore the proliferation, migration, apoptosis and autophagy in HT-29 human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. HT-29 human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells were treated with NVP-BEZ235 (0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 3 µM) for 24 and 48 h, respectively. Cells were also treated with NVP-BEZ235 (0.1 µM), DDP (100, 300 and 1,000 µM), and NVP-BEZ235 (0.1 µM) combined with DDP (100, 300 and 1,000 µM) respectively, and cultured for 24 h after treatment. MTT assay was utilized to evaluate the effects of NVP-BEZ235 alone or NVP-BEZ235 combined with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (DDP) on proliferation of HT-29 cells. Cell wound-scratch assay was used detect cell migration. In addition, expression of microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (MAP1LC3B and LC3B) in HT-29 cells was detected by immunofluorescence at 48 h after NVP-BEZ235 (1 µM) treatment. Expression of proteins involved in cell cycle and proliferation (p-Akt, p-mTOR and cyclin D1), apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3), and autophagy (cleaved LC3B and Beclin-1) were detected by western blot analysis. NVP-BEZ235 inhibited the proliferation and migration of HT-29 human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. NVP-BEZ235 decreased protein expression of p-Akt, p-mTOR and cyclin D1, and increased protein expression of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved LC3B and Beclin-1 as the concentrations and the incubation time of NVP-BEZ235 increased. In addition, NVP-BEZ235 and DDP had synergic effects in inhibiting cell proliferation and migration. The expression of protein involved in apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3) was higher in drug combination group compared to the NVP-BEZ235 single treatment group. NVP-BEZ235 inhibited the proliferation and migration, and induced apoptosis and autophagy of HT-29 human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Apoptosis; Autophagy; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Cisplatin; Colorectal Neoplasms; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; HT29 Cells; Humans; Imidazoles; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Quinolines; Signal Transduction; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases

The Hedgehog pathway plays an important role in the pathogenesis of several tumor types, including esophageal cancer. In our study, we show an expression of the ligand Indian hedgehog (Ihh) and its downstream mediator Gli-1 in primary resected adenocarcinoma tissue by immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR in fifty percent of the cases, while matching healthy esophagus mucosa was negative for both proteins. Moreover, a functionally important regulation of Gli-1 by ErbB2-PI3K-mTORC signaling as well as a Gli-1-dependent regulation of Ihh in the ErbB2 amplified esophageal adenocarcinoma cell line OE19 was observed. Treatment of OE19 cells with the Her2 antibody trastuzumab, the PI3K-mTORC1 inhibitor NVP BEZ235 (BEZ235) or the knockdown of Akt1 resulted in a downregulation of Gli-1 and Ihh as well as in a reduction of viable OE19 cells in vitro. Interestingly, the Hedgehog receptor Smo, which acts upstream of Gli-1, was not expressed in OE19 cells and in the majority of primary human esophageal adenocarcinoma, suggesting a non-canonical upregulation of Gli-1 expression by the ErbB2-PI3K axis. To translate our findings into a therapeutic concept, we targeted ErbB2-PI3K-mTORC1 by trastuzumab and BEZ235, combining both compounds with the Gli-1/2 inhibitor GANT61. The triple combination led to significantly stronger reduction of tumor cell viability than cisplatinum or each biological alone. Therefore, concomitant blockage of the ErbB2-PI3K pathway and the Hedgehog downstream mediator Gli-1 may provide a new therapeutic strategy for esophageal cancer.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antineoplastic Agents; Cell Survival; Down-Regulation; Esophageal Neoplasms; Esophagus; Hedgehog Proteins; HEK293 Cells; Humans; Imidazoles; Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1; Multiprotein Complexes; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Pyridines; Pyrimidines; Quinolines; Receptor, ErbB-2; RNA Interference; RNA, Small Interfering; Signal Transduction; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Transcription Factors; Trastuzumab; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Zinc Finger Protein GLI1

The objective of tailoring medicines for cancer patients according to the molecular profile of their disease holds great promise for the improvement of cancer therapy. Nevertheless, this approach has been limited, in part, due to the lack of predictive and informative preclinical studies. Herein, we describe an assessment of the therapeutic potential of targeting PI3K/mTOR and MAPK signaling in genetically defined mouse models of colorectal cancer mirroring disease subtypes targeted for novel therapy in the FOCUS4 trial. Our studies demonstrate that dual PI3K/mTOR inhibition is highly effective in invasive adenocarcinoma models characterized by combinatorial mutations in Apc and Pten; Apc and Kras; and Apc, Pten and Kras. MEK inhibition was effective in the combinatorial Apc and Kras setting, but had no impact in either Apc Pten mutants or in Apc Pten Kras triple mutants. Furthermore, we describe the importance of scheduling for combination studies and show that although no additional benefit is gained in Apc Pten mice, combination of PI3K/mTOR and MAPK inhibition leads to an additive benefit in survival in Apc Kras mice and a synergistic increase in survival in Apc Pten Kras mice. This is the first study using robust colorectal cancer genetically engineered mouse models to support the validity of PI3K/mTOR and MEK inhibitors as tailored therapies for colorectal cancer and highlight the potential importance of drug scheduling in the clinic.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Benzimidazoles; Colorectal Neoplasms; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Genes, APC; Imidazoles; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases; Mice, Transgenic; Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); PTEN Phosphohydrolase; Quinolines; Tumor Burden

The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signalling pathway is frequently deregulated in pancreatic cancers, and is believed to be an important determinant of their biological aggression and drug resistance. NVP-BEZ235 is a novel, dual class I PI3K/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTor) inhibitor undergoing phase I human clinical trials. To simulate clinical testing, the effects of NVP-BEZ235 were studied in five early passage primary pancreatic cancer xenografts, grown orthotopically. These tumours showed activated PKB/Akt, and increased levels of at least one of the receptor tyrosine kinases that are commonly activated in pancreatic cancers. Pharmacodynamic effects were measured following acute single doses, and anticancer effects were determined in separate groups following chronic drug exposure. Acute oral dosing with NVP-BEZ235 strongly suppressed the phosphorylation of PKB/Akt, followed by recovery over 24 h. There was also inhibition of Ser235/236 S6 ribosomal protein and Thr37/46 4E-BP1, consistent with the effects of NVP-BEZ235 as a dual PI3K/mTor inhibitor. Chronic dosing with 45 mg kg(-1) of NVP-BEZ235 was well tolerated, and produced significant tumour growth inhibition in three models. These results predict that agents targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTor pathway might have anticancer activity in pancreatic cancer patients, and support the testing of combination studies involving chemotherapy or other molecular targeted agents.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Cell Differentiation; Child; Enzyme Inhibitors; Humans; Imidazoles; Immunohistochemistry; Mice; Mice, SCID; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors; Protein Kinases; Quinolines; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Transplantation, Heterologous