AZD6244 (ARRY-142886) enhances the therapeutic efficacy of sorafenib in mouse models of gastric cancer.

Abstract

Gastric cancer is a deadly disease for which current therapeutic options are extremely limited. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptors and platelet-derived growth factor receptors regulate gastric cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and tumor angiogenesis. In the present study, we report that sorafenib therapy effectively inhibited tumor growth and angiogenesis in tumor xenografts. These were associated with reduction in the phosphorylation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 Tyr951, c-Kit Tyr568/570, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta Tyr1021, and Akt Ser473 and Thr308, down-regulation of positive cell cycle regulators, increased apoptosis, and up-regulation of p27. Sorafenib treatment also caused up-regulation of p-c-Raf Ser338 and p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) Thr202/Tyr204 in gastric cancer xenografts. The combination of sorafenib and MAP/ERK kinase inhibitor AZD6244 enhances the effectiveness of each compound alone. Potential effect of sorafenib/AZD6244 included increase in proapoptotic Bim. Our data show that MAP/ERK kinase inhibition enhances the antitumor activity of sorafenib in vivo, supporting a rationale for multitargeted suppression of the angiogenesis and ERK signaling network in gastric cancer therapy.

• Authors: Shu Yang, Van Chanh Ngo, Guo Bin Lew, Lih Wen Valerie Chong, Swee Shean Lee, Wei Jie Richard Ong, Wei Ling Irene Lam, Choon Hua Thng, Heng Nung Koong, Hock Soo Ong, Alexander Chung, Pierce Chow, Jonathan Lee, Khee Chee Soo, Hung Huynh
• Journal: Molecular cancer therapeutics (Mol Cancer Ther) Vol. 8 Issue 9 Pg. 2537-45 (Sep 2009) ISSN: 1538-8514 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19723882 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• AZD 6244
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Benzenesulfonates
• Benzimidazoles
• Phenylurea Compounds
• Pyridines
• Niacinamide
• Sorafenib

Topics

• Animals
• Antineoplastic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Benzenesulfonates (therapeutic use)
• Benzimidazoles (therapeutic use)
• Blotting, Western
• Disease Models, Animal
• Drug Synergism
• Humans
• Mice
• Mice, SCID
• Niacinamide (analogs & derivatives)
• Phenylurea Compounds
• Pyridines (therapeutic use)
• Sorafenib
• Stomach Neoplasms (drug therapy, pathology)