Oncotarget

Research Papers:

MDM2 antagonists synergize with PI3K/mTOR inhibition in well-differentiated/dedifferentiated liposarcomas

Audrey Laroche, Vanessa Chaire, Marie-Paule Algeo, Marie Karanian, Benjamin Fourneaux and Antoine Italiano _

PDF  |  HTML  |  Supplementary Files  |  How to cite

Oncotarget. 2017; 8:53968-53977. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.16345

Metrics: PDF 1963 views  |   HTML 3173 views  |   ?  


Abstract

Audrey Laroche1,2, Vanessa Chaire1,2, Marie-Paule Algeo1, Marie Karanian3, Benjamin Fourneaux1,2 and Antoine Italiano2,3

1 Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France

2 Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Medicale, Institut Bergonié, Bordeaux, France

3 Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Bergonié, Bordeaux, France

Correspondence to:

Antoine Italiano, email:

Keywords: MDM2, CDK4, well-differentiated/dedifferentiated liposarcomas

Received: December 28, 2016 Accepted: January 11, 2017 Published: March 17, 2017

Abstract

Background: Well-differentiated/dedifferentiated liposarcoma (WDLPS/DDLPS) are characterized by a consistent amplification of the MDM2 gene. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway has been suggested to play also an important role in their tumorigenesis. Our goal was to determine whether combined MDM2 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR targeting is associated with higher anti-tumor activity than single agent alone in preclinical models of WDLPS/DDLPS.

Methods: WDLPS/DDLPS cells were exposed to RG7388 (MDM2 antagonist) and BEZ235 (PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor) after which apoptosis and signaling/survival pathway perturbations were monitored by flow cytometry and Western blot analysis. Xenograft mouse models were used to assess tumor growth and animal survival. Western blotting, histopathology, and tumor volume evolution were used for the assessment of treatment efficacy.

Results: The PI3K/AKT/mTOR was upregulated in up to 81% of the human WDLPS/DDLPS samples analysed. Treatment with RG7388 and BEZ235 resulted in a greater tumor activity than either drug alone with a significant difference in terms of cell viability after 72h of treatment with RG-73888 alone, BEZ235 alone and a combination of both agents. Consistent with these observations, we found a significant increase in apoptosis with the combination versus the single agent treatment alone. We then analysed the in vivo antitumor activity of RG7388 and BEZ235 in a xenograft model of DDLPS. The combination regimen significantly reduced tumor growth rate in comparison with single agent alone.

Conclusions: Our results represent the first in vivo evidence of synergy between MDM2 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR antagonists and represent a strong rationale to evaluate the therapeutic potential of such a combination in WDLPS/DDLPS.


Creative Commons License All site content, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
PII: 16345