Concurrent targeting of BMI1 and CDK4/6 abrogates tumor growth in vitro and in vivo

Sci Rep. 2019 Sep 23;9(1):13696. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-50140-0.

Abstract

Despite recent advances in cancer management and therapy, resistance to cytotoxic medications remains a major clinical challenge; hence, combination-based anti-cancer treatment regimens are currently gaining momentum. PTC-209 reduced BMI1 protein expression, while palbociclib inhibited CDK4, Rb, and pRbSer795 protein expression in MDA-MB-231 cells. PTC-209 and palbociclib exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxic effects against MDA-MB-231 (breast), HCT116 (colon), and PC-3 (prostate) models, which was more profound in the combination group. Transcriptome and pathway analyses revealed inhibition of insulin signaling, focal adhesion, DNA damage response, and Wnt/pluripotency signaling pathways as well as cell proliferation, and cellular movement functional categories by PTC-209. Transcriptome and pathway analyses revealed palbociclib to mainly affect cell cycle progression and survival. Upstream analysis identified several networks affected by PTC-209 (EZH2, IFNB1, TRIB3, EGFR, SREBF1, IL1A, ERG, TGFB1, MAX, MNT) and palbociclib (RABL6, MITF, RARA, TAL1, AREG, E2F3, FOXM1, ESR1, ERBB2, and E2F). PTC-209 and palbociclib reduced colony and sphere formation, cell migration, and cell viability, which was further enhanced in the combination group. Concordantly, combination of PTC-209 and palbociclib exhibited more profound effects on MDA-MB-231 tumor formation in vivo. Our data suggest concurrent targeting of BMI1 and CDK4/CDK6 might provide novel therapeutic opportunity for breast, colon, and prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 / metabolism*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6 / metabolism*
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 7 / metabolism*
  • Piperazines / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Thiazoles / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring
  • PTC-209
  • Piperazines
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyridines
  • Thiazoles
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6
  • MAPK7 protein, human
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 7
  • palbociclib