Neuroendocrine phenotype alteration and growth suppression through apoptosis by MK-2206, an allosteric inhibitor of AKT, in carcinoid cell lines in vitro

Anticancer Drugs. 2013 Jan;24(1):66-72. doi: 10.1097/CAD.0b013e3283584f75.

Abstract

Carcinoids are neuroendocrine malignancies characterized by their overproduction of various bioactive hormones that lead to the carcinoid syndrome. We have shown previously that AKT serves as a key regulator of growth and phenotypic expression of tumor markers in carcinoids by the genetic depletion of AKT expression. However, no small-molecule inhibitor of AKT kinase activity has been developed until recently. MK-2206, a novel allosteric inhibitor of AKT, is currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of solid tumors. In this study, we explored the effect of MK-2206 on carcinoid cell proliferation and bioactive hormone production in vitro in two carcinoid cell lines - pancreatic carcinoid BON and bronchopulmonary H727. Treatment with MK-2206 effectively suppressed AKT phosphorylation at serine 473 and significantly reduced cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Most importantly, MK-2206 treatment resulted in a significant reduction in ASCL1, CgA, and NSE expression, collectively recognized as markers of neuroendocrine tumor malignancy. Furthermore, MK-2206-treated cells showed an increase in levels of cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase-3, with a concomitant reduction in levels of Mcl-1 and XIAP, indicating that the antiproliferative effect of MK-2206 occurs through the induction of apoptosis. In conclusion, MK-2206 suppresses carcinoid tumor growth, and alters its neuroendocrine phenotype, indicating that this drug may be beneficial for patients with carcinoid syndrome. These studies merit further clinical investigation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allosteric Regulation
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Bronchial Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Bronchial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Carcinoid Tumor / drug therapy
  • Carcinoid Tumor / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring / administration & dosage
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / drug therapy
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Phenotype
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring
  • MK 2206
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt