Abstract 5030
Background
Multifunctional, antiproliferative small molecules are deemed to offer pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic benefits over combination therapy, in addition to reducing toxicity, cancer resistance, and therapy costs. In this study, we conducted an in vitro cellular screen of our recently reported series of EGFR/HER2 inhibitors.
Methods
Cytotoxicity induced by AF8c was confirmed using WST-1 assay. An Annexin V-Fluorescein Isothiocyanate (FITC) Apoptosis Detection Kit, TUNEL assay, and Western blotting were carried out to invastigate apoptosis. A human phosphorylated kinase array was used to identify proteins differentially expressed between control cells and AF8c-treated cell lines. ROS generation was monitored by flow cytometry, confocal microscopy using dihydroethidium (DHE) and MitoSOX. For in vivo tumor xenograft study, four-week-old female BALB/c nude mice were injected subcutaneously with either HT29 Luc+ or HCT116 Luc+ cells (1 × 107 cells in 100 μL PBS). When the tumor had reached approximately 100 mm3 in size, the mice were randomly divided into three groups (n = 8): DMSO-treated, treated with 10 mg/kg AF8c, and treated with 20 mg/kg AF8c.
Results
Analysis of the AF8c mode of action in CRC cells revealed that it mediates apoptosis via the generation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as selective activation of nuclear respiratory factor 2 alpha subunit (Nrf2) and death receptor 5 (DR5), but not DR4. Silencing of DR5 attenuated the expression levels of Nrf2 and partially inhibited AF8c-induced apoptosis. Additionally, upregulation of Nrf2 by AF8c evoked apoptosis through a decrease in antioxidant levels. Treatment of mice with AF8c also resulted in the upregulation of DR5, Nrf2, and CHOP proteins, subsequently leading to a significant decrease in tumor burden.
Conclusions
AF8c-induced apoptosis may be associated with DR5/Nrf2 activation through ER stress and ROS generation in CRC. These findings indicate that AF8c represents a promising polypharmacological molecule for the treatment of human CRC. Moreover, it could also be a potential starting point for the understanding of the structural features of quinazoline-based ErbB family inhibitors targeting the TRAIL cascade.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
1619 - Meta-analysis of KRAS Mutation as prognostic factor in patients (pts.) with resection of colorectal (CRC) liver metastases: Tumor burden and Sideness analysis.
Presenter: Maria Romina Luca
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
2104 - Clinical implications of regorafenib-induced hypothyroidism in metastatic colorectal cancer refractory to standard therapies: A prospective evaluation
Presenter: Jwa Hoon Kim
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
2143 - Clinical impact of BRAF V600E mutations in patients (pts) with resectable solitary colorectal liver metastases (CRLM)
Presenter: Shin Kobayashi
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
3136 - Trifluridine/tipiracil in metastatic colorectal cancer: an updated multicentre real-world analysis on efficacy, safety and predictive factors.
Presenter: Chara Stavraka
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
4234 - Correlation between p53 expression and clinical outcome in RAS/BRAF wild type metastatic colorectal cancer patients receiving later-line irinotecan-cetuximab
Presenter: Eleonora Lai
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
4287 - Safety and effectiveness of aflibercept + FOLFIRI for the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): OZONE secondary analyses
Presenter: Ian Chau
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
1820 - A Phase Ib study of the safety and efficacy of atezolizumab (atezo) + bevacizumab (bev) + cobimetinib (cobi) in patients (pts) with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC)
Presenter: Johanna Bendell
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
5644 - Development and validation of a metastasis-associated immune prognostic model for concurrent metastatic colorectal cancer
Presenter: Zhiwen Luo
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
5697 - Prognostic role of blood cell count-based immuno-inflammatory parameters in the Valentino trial
Presenter: Giovanni Fuca
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
4704 - Evaluation of safety, immunogenicity and preliminary efficacy of PolyPEPI1018 vaccine in subjects with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with a predictive biomarker
Presenter: Joleen Hubbard
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract