Antibiotic monensin synergizes with EGFR inhibitors and oxaliplatin to suppress the proliferation of human ovarian cancer cells

Sci Rep. 2015 Dec 7:5:17523. doi: 10.1038/srep17523.

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy with an overall cure rate of merely 30%. Most patients experience recurrence within 12-24 months of cure and die of progressively chemotherapy-resistant disease. Thus, more effective anti-ovarian cancer therapies are needed. Here, we investigate the possibility of repurposing antibiotic monensin as an anti-ovarian cancer agent. We demonstrate that monensin effectively inhibits cell proliferation, migration and cell cycle progression, and induces apoptosis of human ovarian cancer cells. Monensin suppresses multiple cancer-related pathways including Elk1/SRF, AP1, NFκB and STAT, and reduces EGFR expression in ovarian cancer cells. Monensin acts synergistically with EGFR inhibitors and oxaliplatin to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells. Xenograft studies confirm that monensin effectively inhibits tumor growth by suppressing cell proliferation through targeting EGFR signaling. Our results suggest monensin may be repurposed as an anti-ovarian cancer agent although further preclinical and clinical studies are needed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Drug Synergism
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Female
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Monensin / pharmacology*
  • Organoplatinum Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1 / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Wound Healing / drug effects
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Organoplatinum Compounds
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Monensin
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1