[Molecular background of BRAF inhibitor induced resistance in BRAFV600E mutant melanoma cell lines]

Magy Onkol. 2021 Jun 3;65(2):149-156. Epub 2021 May 18.
[Article in Hungarian]

Abstract

Target-specific inhibition of the BRAFV600E mutant protein has been a major breakthrough in the treatment of metastatic cutaneous melanoma. However, the success of therapies is significantly overshadowed by the development of resistance. Understanding the molecular mechanisms associated with acquired resistance is an important step to increase the effectiveness of melanoma treatment. Our aim was to elucidate the molecular differences underlying the development of drug resistance using a mutant BRAF protein inhibitor (vemurafenib analogue: PLX4720) in BRAFV600E mutant melanoma cell lines. We developed four BRAF inhibitor-resistant cell lines and examined the effect of BRAF inhibitor "withdrawal" on cell division. ArrayCGH was used to define genetic, and Affymetrix HumanGene 1.0 microarray to monitor gene expression alterations between the sensitive and resistant cell lines. Protein expression was determined using Proteome Profiler Human XL Oncology Array. We found that withdrawal of the inhibitor reduces cell proliferation in the resistant cells. The invasive potential of the resistant cells increased. Using genomic and proteomic methods we described new molecular alterations associated with acquired resistance.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Humans
  • Melanoma* / drug therapy
  • Melanoma* / genetics
  • Mutation
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Proteomics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms* / genetics

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • BRAF protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf