Purpose: Our previous screening efforts found that inhibition of PAPSS1 increases the potency of
DNA-damaging agents in
non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. Here, we explored the clinical relevance of PAPSS1 and further investigated it as a therapeutic target in preclinical model systems.Experimental Design: PAPSS1 expression and
cisplatin IC50 values were assessed in 52
lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. Effects of PAPSS1 inhibition on A549
cisplatin sensitivity under hypoxic and
starvation conditions, in 3D spheroids, as well as in zebrafish and mouse xenografts, were evaluated. Finally, the association between PAPSS1 expression levels and survival in patients treated with standard
chemotherapy was assessed.Results: Our results show a positive correlation between low PAPSS1 expression and increased
cisplatin sensitivity in
lung adenocarcinoma. In vitro, the potentiation effect was greatest when A549 cells were serum-starved under hypoxic conditions. When treated with low-dose
cisplatin, PAPSS1-deficient A549 spheroids showed a 58% reduction in size compared with control cells. In vivo, PAPSS1 suppression and low-dose
cisplatin treatment inhibited proliferation of lung
tumor cells in zebrafish xenografts and significantly delayed development of subcutaneous
tumors in mice. Clinical data suggest that NSCLC and
ovarian cancer patients with low PAPSS1 expression survive longer following
platinum-based
chemotherapy.Conclusions: These results suggest that PAPSS1 inhibition enhances
cisplatin activity in multiple preclinical model systems and that low PAPSS1 expression may serve as a
biomarker for platin sensitivity in
cancer patients. Developing strategies to target PAPSS1 activity in conjunction with
platinum-based
chemotherapy may offer an approach to improving treatment outcomes. Clin
Cancer Res; 23(21); 6555-66. ©2017 AACR.