ONC201 induces the unfolded protein response (UPR) in high- and low-grade ovarian carcinoma cell lines and leads to cell death regardless of platinum sensitivity

© 2021 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd..

OBJECTIVES: Treatment of both platinum resistant high grade (HG) and low-grade (LG) ovarian cancer (OVCA) poses significant challenges as neither respond well to conventional chemotherapy leading to morbidity and mortality. Identification of novel agents that can overcome chemoresistance is therefore critical. Previously, we have demonstrated that OVCA has basal upregulated unfolded protein response (UPR) and that targeting cellular processes leading to further and persistent upregulation of UPR leads to cell death. ONC201 is an orally bioavailable Dopamine Receptor D2 inhibitor demonstrating anticancer activity and was found to induce UPR. Given its unique properties, we hypothesized that ONC201 would overcome platinum resistance in OVCA.

METHODS: Cisplatin sensitive and resistant HG OVCA and two primary LG OVCA cell lines were studied. Cell viability was determined using MTT assay. Cell migration was studied using wound healing assay. Apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential were investigated using flow cytometry. Analysis of pathway inhibition was performed by Western Blot. mRNA expression of UPR related genes were measured by qPCR. In vivo studies were completed utilizing axillary xenograft models. Co-testing with conventional chemotherapy was performed to study synergy.

RESULTS: ONC201 significantly inhibited cell viability and migration in a dose dependent manner with IC50's from 1-20 µM for both cisplatin sensitive and resistant HG and LG-OVCA cell lines. ONC201 lead to upregulation of the pro-apoptotic arm of the UPR, specifically ATF-4/CHOP/ATF3 and increased the intrinsic apoptosispathway. The compensatory, pro-survival PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was downregulated. In vivo, weekly dosing of single agent ONC201 decreased xenograft tumor size by ~50% compared to vehicle. ONC201 also demonstrated significant synergy with paclitaxel in a highly platinum resistant OVCA cell-line (OV433).

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that ONC201 can effectively overcome chemoresistance in OVCA cells by blocking pro-survival pathways and inducing the apoptotic arm of the UPR. This is a promising, orallybioavailable therapeutic agent to consider in clinical trials for patients with both HG and LG OVCA.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2021

Erschienen:

2021

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:10

Enthalten in:

Cancer medicine - 10(2021), 10 vom: 05. Mai, Seite 3373-3387

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Rumman, Marufa [VerfasserIn]
Buck, Steven [VerfasserIn]
Polin, Lisa [VerfasserIn]
Dzinic, Sijana [VerfasserIn]
Boerner, Julie [VerfasserIn]
Winer, Ira S [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

9U35A31JAI
Antineoplastic Agents
Apoptosis
Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists
High-grade ovarian cancer
Imidazoles
Journal Article
Low-grade ovarian cancer
ONC201
Organoplatinum Compounds
Pyridines
Pyrimidines
Receptors, Dopamine D2
TIC10 compound
Unfolded protein response

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 19.07.2021

Date Revised 19.07.2021

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1002/cam4.3858

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM324852398