E2F1 inhibition mediates cell death of metastatic melanoma

Cell Death Dis. 2018 May 1;9(5):527. doi: 10.1038/s41419-018-0566-1.

Abstract

Melanoma is one of the most lethal cancers when it reaches a metastatic stage. Despite advancements in targeted therapies (BRAF inhibitors) or immunotherapies (anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD1), most patients with melanoma will need additional treatment. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop new therapeutical approaches to bypass resistance and achieve more prolonged responses. In this context, we were interested in E2F1, a transcription factor that plays a major role in the control of cell cycle under physiological and pathological conditions. Here we confirmed that E2F1 is highly expressed in melanoma cells. Inhibition of E2F1 activity further increased melanoma cell death and senescence, both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, blocking E2F1 also induced death of melanoma cells resistant to BRAF inhibitors. In conclusion, our studies suggest that targeting the E2F1 signaling pathway may be therapeutically relevant for melanoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / pharmacology*
  • Cell Death / drug effects*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • E2F1 Transcription Factor* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • E2F1 Transcription Factor* / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Melanoma, Experimental* / drug therapy
  • Melanoma, Experimental* / metabolism
  • Melanoma, Experimental* / pathology
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • E2F1 Transcription Factor
  • E2F1 protein, human
  • BRAF protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf