BMS-754807, a small-molecule inhibitor of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor/insulin receptor, enhances gemcitabine response in pancreatic cancer

Mol Cancer Ther. 2012 Dec;11(12):2644-53. doi: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-12-0447. Epub 2012 Oct 9.

Abstract

Gemcitabine has limited clinical benefits in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling proteins are frequently overexpressed in PDAC. The therapeutic potential of BMS-754807, a small-molecule inhibitor of IGF-type 1 receptor (IGF-1R) and insulin receptor (IR), and gemcitabine was evaluated in experimental PDAC. Cell proliferation and protein expression were measured by WST-1 assay and immunoblotting. Tumor growth and survival studies were conducted in murine xenografts. PDAC cells expressed phospho-IGF-1R protein. BMS-754807 and gemcitabine inhibited cell proliferation of PDAC cells; the combination of BMS-754807 with gemcitabine had additive effects. Addition of BMS-754807 decreased gemcitabine IC₅₀ from 9.7 μmol/L to 75 nmol/L for AsPC-1, from 3 μmol/L to 70 nmol/L for Panc-1, from 72 to 16 nmol/L for MIA PaCa-2, and from 28 to 16 nmol/L for BxPC-3 cells. BMS-754807 caused a decrease in phospho-IGF-1R and phospho-AKT proteins in AsPC-1 and Panc-1 cells. BMS-754807 and gemcitabine caused an increase in PARP-1 and caspase-3 cleavage. Net tumor growth inhibition in BMS-754807, gemcitabine, and BMS-754807+gemcitabine groups was 59%, 35%, and 94% as compared with controls. Effects of therapy on intratumoral proliferation and apoptosis corresponded with tumor growth inhibition data. BMS-754807 also caused a decrease in phospho-IGF-1R and phospho-AKT in tumor tissue lysates. Median animal survival (controls: 21 days) with BMS-754807 was 27 days (P = 0.03), with gemcitabine 28 days (P = 0.05), and in the BMS-754807+gemcitabine combination group, 41 days (P = 0.007). The strong antitumor activity of BMS-754807 in experimental PDAC supports the potential of BMS-754807-induced mechanisms for clinical PDAC therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / pathology
  • Cell Growth Processes / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Deoxycytidine / administration & dosage
  • Deoxycytidine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Deoxycytidine / pharmacology
  • Drug Synergism
  • Female
  • Gemcitabine
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mice, SCID
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pyrazoles / administration & dosage
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology*
  • Random Allocation
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1 / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Triazines / administration & dosage
  • Triazines / pharmacology*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • BMS 754807
  • Pyrazoles
  • Triazines
  • Deoxycytidine
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1
  • Gemcitabine