Co-inhibition of BET proteins and NF-κB as a potential therapy for colorectal cancer through synergistic inhibiting MYC and FOXM1 expressions

Cell Death Dis. 2018 Feb 22;9(3):315. doi: 10.1038/s41419-018-0354-y.

Abstract

The bromodomain and extra-terminal domain inhibitors (BETi) are promising epigenetic drugs for the treatment of various cancers through suppression of oncogenic transcription factors. However, only a subset of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells response to BETi. We investigate additional agents that could be combined with BETi to overcome this obstacle. JQ1-resistant CRC cells were used for screening of the effective combination therapies with JQ1. RNA-seq was performed to explore the mechanism of synergistic effect. The efficacy of combinational treatment was tested in the CRC cell line- and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. In BETi-sensitive CRC cells, JQ1 also impaired tumor angiogenesis through the c-myc/miR-17-92/CTGF+THBS1 axis. CTGF knockdown moderately counteracted anti-angiogenic effect of JQ1 and led to partially attenuated tumor regression. JQ1 decreased c-myc expression and NF-κB activity in BETi-sensitive CRC cells but not in resistant cells. Bortezomib synergistically sensitized BETi-resistant cells to the JQ1 treatment, and JQ1+Bortezomib induced G2/M arrest in CRC cells. Mechanistically, inhibition of NF-κB by Bortezomib or NF-κB inhibitor or IKK1/2 siRNA all rendered BETi-resistant cells more sensitive to BETi by synergistic repression of c-myc, which in turn induces GADD45s' expression, and by synergistic repression of FOXM1 which in turn inhibit G2/M checkpoint genes' expression. Activation of NF-κB by IκBα siRNA induced resistance to JQ1 in BETi-sensitive CRC cells. Last, JQ1+Bortezomib inhibited tumor growth and angiogenesis in CRC cell line xenograft model and four PDX models. Our results indicate that anti-angiogenic effect of JQ1 plays a vital role in therapeutic effect of JQ1 in CRC, and provide a rationale for combined inhibition of BET proteins and NF-κB as a potential therapy for CRC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Azepines / administration & dosage
  • Bortezomib / administration & dosage
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Drug Synergism
  • Female
  • Forkhead Box Protein M1 / genetics*
  • Forkhead Box Protein M1 / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • NF-kappa B / genetics
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Oncogene Protein p55(v-myc) / genetics*
  • Oncogene Protein p55(v-myc) / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism
  • Triazoles / administration & dosage
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • (+)-JQ1 compound
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Azepines
  • Forkhead Box Protein M1
  • Foxm1 protein, mouse
  • NF-kappa B
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Oncogene Protein p55(v-myc)
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • Triazoles
  • Bortezomib