Telomerase inhibitor GRN163L inhibits myeloma cell growth in vitro and in vivo.

Human telomerase, the reverse transcriptase which extends the life span of a cell by adding telomeric repeats to chromosome ends, is expressed in most cancer cells but not in the majority of normal somatic cells. Inhibition of telomerase therefore holds great promise as anticancer therapy. We have synthesized a novel telomerase inhibitor GRN163L, a lipid-attached phosphoramidate oligonucleotide complementary to template region of the RNA subunit of telomerase. Here, we report that GRN163L is efficiently taken up by human myeloma cells without any need of transfection and is resistant to nucleolytic degradation. The exposure of myeloma cells to GRN163L led to an effective inhibition of telomerase activity, reduction of telomere length and apoptotic cell death after a lag period of 2-3 weeks. Mismatch control oligonucleotides had no effect on growth of myeloma cells. The in vivo efficacy of GRN163L was confirmed in two murine models of human multiple myeloma. In three independent experiments, significant reduction in tumor cell growth and better survival than control mice was observed. Furthermore, GRN163L-induced myeloma cell death could be significantly enhanced by Hsp90 inhibitor 17AAG. These data provide the preclinical rationale for clinical evaluation of GRN163L in myeloma and in combination with 17AAG.

Biological pathways and in vivo antitumor activity induced by Atiprimod in myeloma.

Atiprimod (Atip) is a novel oral agent with anti-inflammatory properties. Although its in vitro activity and effects on signaling in multiple myeloma (MM) have been previously reported, here we investigated its molecular and in vivo effects in MM. Gene expression analysis of MM cells identified downregulation of genes involved in adhesion, cell-signaling, cell cycle and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathways and upregulation of genes implicated in apoptosis and bone development, following Atip treatment. The pathway analysis identified integrin, TGF-beta and FGF signaling as well as Wnt/beta-catenin, IGF1 and cell-cycle regulation networks as being most modulated by Atip treatment. We further evaluated its in vivo activity in three mouse models. The subcutaneous model confirmed its in vivo activity and established its dose; the SCID-hu model using INA-6 cells, confirmed its ability to overcome the protective effects of BM milieu; and the SCID-hu model using primary MM cells reconfirmed its activity in a model closest to human disease. Finally, we observed reduced number of osteoclasts and modulation of genes related to BMP pathways. Taken together, these data demonstrate the in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of Atip, delineate potential molecular targets triggered by this agent, and provide a preclinical rational for its clinical evaluation in MM.

Antitumor therapeutic strategies based on the targeting of epidermal growth factor-induced survival pathways.

Cellular receptors for the Epidermal Growth Factor are considered important targets for the experimental treatment of human cancer. Monoclonal antibodies as well as small tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been developed and have undergone extensive evaluation in preclinical and clinical studies. Most of these studies have been conceived on the general idea that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays a critical role on the growth and survival of human tumors. This assumption has been derived by the successful development of BCR/ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors in human chronic myeloid leukemia as well as on the activity of antiCD20 monoclonal antibodies in lymphoproliferative disease and of anti HER2 agents in breast tumors overexpressing the targeted antigens. It is now becoming clear that factors regulating sensitivity to kinase inhibitors may differ from monoclonal antibodies and that the molecules targeted by interferring drugs must be prioritaire for growth and survival of those specific tumors in order to achieve valuable results. Recent evidence of major responses to the EGFR inhibitor Gefitinib in tumors harboring activating mutations in the EGFR appears on line with this concept. In this article we will discuss the significance of targeting the EGFR driven survival pathways. Specifically, we will afford the point of EGFR survival signalling prioritization by means of pharmacological treatment. Finally, we will address the role of profiling technologies and of novel computational system biology-based approaches for identification of innovative strategies for effective targeting of EGFR driven survival pathways.

BRCA1 expression modulates chemosensitivity of BRCA1-defective HCC1937 human breast cancer cells.

Germline mutations of the tumour suppressor gene BRCA1 are involved in the predisposition and development of breast cancer and account for 20-45% of all hereditary cases. There is an increasing evidence that these tumours are characterised by a specific phenotype and pattern of gene expression. We have hypothesised that differences in chemosensitivity might parallel molecular heterogeneity of hereditary and sporadic breast tumours. To this end, we have investigated the chemosensitivity of the BRCA1-defective HCC1937 breast cancer cell line, and the BRCA1-competent MCF-7 (hormone-sensitive) and MDA-MB231 (hormone-insensitive) breast cancer cell lines using the MTT assay. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) for the individual compounds were derived by interpolate plot analysis of the logarithmic scalar concentration curve after a 48 h exposure. HCC1937 cells were significantly (P<0.005) more sensitive to cisplatin (CDDP) (IC(50) : 30-40 microM) compared with MCF-7 (IC(50) : 60-70 microM) and MDA-MB231 (IC(50) : 90-100 microM) cells. On the other hand, BRCA1-defective breast cancer cells were significantly less sensitive to doxorubicin (Dox) (IC(50) : 45-50 microM) compared with MCF-7 (IC(50) : 1-5 microM) and MDA-MB231 (IC(50) : 5-10 microM) (P<0.02), as well as to paclitaxel (Tax) (IC(50) : >2 microM for HCC1937, 0.1-0.2 microM for MCF-7 and 0.01-0.02 microM for MDA-MB231) (P<0.001). Full-length BRCA1 cDNA transfection of BRCA1-defective HCC1937 cells led to the reconstituted expression of BRCA1 protein in HCC1937/(WT)BRCA1-derived cell clone, but did not reduce tumour cell growth in soft agar. BRCA1 reconstitution reverted the hypersensitivity to CDDP (P<0.02), and restored the sensitivity to Dox (P<0.05) and Tax (P<0.001), compared with parental HCC1937 cells. Taken together, our findings suggest a specific chemosensitivity profile of BRCA1-defective cells in vitro, which is dependent on BRCA1 protein expression, and suggest prospective preclinical and clinical investigation for the development of tailored therapeutical approaches in this setting.