TY - JOUR
T1 - Synergistic action of a RAF inhibitor and a dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor in thyroid cancer
AU - Jin, Ning
AU - Jiang, Tianyun
AU - Rosen, David M.
AU - Nelkin, Barry D.
AU - Ball, Douglas W.
PY - 2011/10/15
Y1 - 2011/10/15
N2 - Purpose: In thyroid cancer clinical trials, agents targeting VEGF receptors (VEGFR) and RET, among other kinases, have led to partial responses but few complete or durable responses. The RAF-MEK-ERK and PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathways are frequently activated in differentiated and medullary thyroid cancer (DTC and MTC) and may provide therapeutic targets for these diseases. We tested a novel drug combination targeting RAF, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and mTOR, plus VEGFR2 and RET, in thyroid cancer preclinical models with defined genetic backgrounds. Experimental Design: RAF265, an ATP-competitive pan-RAF inhibitor active against VEGFR2, and BEZ- 235, a PI3K inhibitor also active against Torc1 and Torc2, were tested alone and in combination in a panel of thyroid cancer lines. We tested RAF265 and BEZ-235 for kinase inhibition, growth inhibition and cellcycle alterations, and inhibition of signaling targets and tumor growth in xenograft models. Results: Both drugs potently inhibited their kinase targets in the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and PI3K pathways. In addition, RAF265 had significant RET inhibitory activity (IC 50 = 25-50 nmol/L for RET C634W). The combination strongly inhibited proliferation of DTC and MTC cell lines with mutations in RAS, BRAF, PTEN, and RET. Synergy was shown for B-CPAP (BRAF V600E) and TT cells (RET C634W). The combination of both drugs significantly inhibited growth of CAL62 (KRAS G12R/G12R) and TT xenografts, thoroughly inhibiting ERK and PI3K pathway signaling. Conclusions: Combined blockade of ERK and PI3K signaling potently inhibits growth in preclinical models representing the key genotypes seen in refractory thyroid cancer. These targets and therapies are promising for further development in both differentiated and medullary thyroid cancers.
AB - Purpose: In thyroid cancer clinical trials, agents targeting VEGF receptors (VEGFR) and RET, among other kinases, have led to partial responses but few complete or durable responses. The RAF-MEK-ERK and PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathways are frequently activated in differentiated and medullary thyroid cancer (DTC and MTC) and may provide therapeutic targets for these diseases. We tested a novel drug combination targeting RAF, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and mTOR, plus VEGFR2 and RET, in thyroid cancer preclinical models with defined genetic backgrounds. Experimental Design: RAF265, an ATP-competitive pan-RAF inhibitor active against VEGFR2, and BEZ- 235, a PI3K inhibitor also active against Torc1 and Torc2, were tested alone and in combination in a panel of thyroid cancer lines. We tested RAF265 and BEZ-235 for kinase inhibition, growth inhibition and cellcycle alterations, and inhibition of signaling targets and tumor growth in xenograft models. Results: Both drugs potently inhibited their kinase targets in the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and PI3K pathways. In addition, RAF265 had significant RET inhibitory activity (IC 50 = 25-50 nmol/L for RET C634W). The combination strongly inhibited proliferation of DTC and MTC cell lines with mutations in RAS, BRAF, PTEN, and RET. Synergy was shown for B-CPAP (BRAF V600E) and TT cells (RET C634W). The combination of both drugs significantly inhibited growth of CAL62 (KRAS G12R/G12R) and TT xenografts, thoroughly inhibiting ERK and PI3K pathway signaling. Conclusions: Combined blockade of ERK and PI3K signaling potently inhibits growth in preclinical models representing the key genotypes seen in refractory thyroid cancer. These targets and therapies are promising for further development in both differentiated and medullary thyroid cancers.
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U2 - 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-11-0933
DO - 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-11-0933
M3 - Article
C2 - 21831957
AN - SCOPUS:80054118460
SN - 1078-0432
VL - 17
SP - 6482
EP - 6489
JO - Clinical Cancer Research
JF - Clinical Cancer Research
IS - 20
ER -