The efficacy and selectivity of tumor cell killing by Akt inhibitors are substantially increased by chloroquine

Bioorg Med Chem. 2008 Sep 1;16(17):7888-93. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2008.07.076. Epub 2008 Jul 29.

Abstract

This study was to evaluate the enhancement value of chloroquine (CQ) in cancer cell killing when used in combination with Akt inhibitors. The results showed that the combination of CQ and Akt inhibitors is much more effective than either one alone. Importantly, the CQ-mediated chemosensitization of cell killing effects by Akt inhibitors is cancer specific. In particular, when combined with 10 microM CQ, 1,3-dihydro-1-(1-((4-(6-phenyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-g]quinoxalin-7-yl)phenyl)methyl)-4-piperidinyl)-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (an Akt1 and 2 inhibitor; compound 8) killed cancer cells 10-120 times more effectively than normal cells. Thus, CQ is a very effective and cancer-specific chemosensitizer when used in combination with Akt inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacology*
  • Benzimidazoles / chemistry
  • Benzimidazoles / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Chloroquine / chemistry
  • Chloroquine / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Drug Synergism
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Quinoxalines / chemistry
  • Quinoxalines / pharmacology*
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • 1,3-dihydro-1-(1-((4-(6-phenyl-1H-imidazo(4,5-g)quinoxalin-7-yl)phenyl)methyl)-4-piperidinyl)-2H-benzimidazol-2-one
  • Benzimidazoles
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Quinoxalines
  • Chloroquine
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt