Renal and liver tumors in Tsc2(+/-) mice, a model of tuberous sclerosis complex, do not respond to treatment with atorvastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor

Mol Cancer Ther. 2009 Jul;8(7):1799-807. doi: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-09-0055. Epub 2009 Jul 7.

Abstract

Inactivating mutations of the tumor suppressor gene TSC2 are associated with tumorigenesis in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Statins, as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase inhibitors, have the potential to limit the growth of these tumors by limiting the isoprenylation of activated GTPases in Tsc2-null cells. We tested atorvastatin as a therapy for (a) ethylnitrosourea (ENU)-enhanced renal cystadenoma and (b) spontaneous liver hemangioma in 129Sv/Jae Tsc2(+/-) mice. ENU-treated Tsc2(+/-) mice were given atorvastatin chow (0.1%, w/w) for 1 or 3 months before sacrifice at 6 months; 129Sv/Jae Tsc2(+/-) mice were given atorvastatin chow (0.1%, w/w) for 6 months before sacrifice at 12 months. All treatment groups were compared with mice of identical genotype and strain background that were fed control chow. Pathologic analyses revealed a predominance of renal cystadenoma in ENU-treated and liver hemangioma in non-ENU-treated 129Sv/Jae Tsc2(+/-) mice. In both cohorts, serum cholesterol levels and levels of phosphorylated S6 and GTP-RhoA in healthy tissue were significantly (>50%) reduced in atorvastatin-treated mice as compared with controls. Following atorvastatin treatment, no significant reduction in tumor size, morphology, or phosphorylated S6 levels was observed for either ENU-associated renal cystadenoma or spontaneous liver hemangioma as compared with the untreated groups. In conclusion, although the marked reduction in cholesterol levels indicates that atorvastatin was effective as an 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase inhibitor, it did not inhibit the growth of tumors that develop in these Tsc2(+/-) models, suggesting that it is unlikely to have benefit as a single-agent therapy for TSC-associated tumors.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Atorvastatin
  • Cholesterol / metabolism
  • Cystadenoma / drug therapy
  • Cystadenoma / metabolism
  • Cystadenoma / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Female
  • Hemangioma / drug therapy
  • Hemangioma / metabolism
  • Hemangioma / pathology
  • Heptanoic Acids / therapeutic use*
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Kidney Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Kidney Neoplasms / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Pyrroles / therapeutic use*
  • Survival Rate
  • Tuberous Sclerosis / pathology*
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / physiology*

Substances

  • Heptanoic Acids
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Pyrroles
  • Tsc2 protein, mouse
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Cholesterol
  • Atorvastatin