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
3191 - The efficacy and safety of lenvatinib in patients who did not meet the inclusion criteria of the phase 3 trial (REFLECT trial) and those with BCLC Stage B hepatocellular carcinoma - A nationwide multicenter study in Japan-
Presenter: Azusa Sakamoto
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
1529 - Prognostic and predictive value of baseline alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with ramucirumab from two phase 3 studies (REACH, REACH-2)
Presenter: Andrew Zhu
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
2767 - Effect of second-line cabozantinib on health states for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC) after sorafenib: QTWiST analysis from the CELESTIAL study
Presenter: Nicholas Freemantle
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
2150 - Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) response in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the phase 3 RESORCE trial
Presenter: Jordi Bruix
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
3437 - Phase I/II trial of NBTXR3 activated by SBRT in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or liver metastasis
Presenter: Marc Pracht
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
1758 - Efficacy and safety of ramucirumab (RAM) for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) following first-line sorafenib across age subgroups in two global phase 3 trials (REACH and REACH-2)
Presenter: Masatoshi Kudo
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
1192 - Ramucirumab in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and elevated alpha fetoprotein (AFP): An exposure–response analysis
Presenter: Josep Llovet
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
1600 - Outcomes of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Patients Treated with Nivolumab: The Mount Sinai Hospital Experience.
Presenter: Sirish Dharmapuri
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
2364 - Pembrolizumab vs Chemotherapy in Patients With Advanced/Metastatic Adenocarcinoma (AC) or Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) of the Esophagus as Second-Line Therapy: Analysis of the Chinese Subgroup in KEYNOTE-181
Presenter: Jia Chen
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
1933 - A national comparative effectiveness study to assess definitive chemoradiation regimens in proximal oesophageal squamous cell cancer
Presenter: Judith de Vos-Geelen
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract