PARP inhibitors and radiation potentiate liver cell death in vitro. Do hepatocellular carcinomas have an achilles' heel?

Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol. 2021 Sep;45(5):101553. doi: 10.1016/j.clinre.2020.09.014. Epub 2020 Nov 9.

Abstract

Background: A promising avenue for cancer treatment is exacerbating the deregulation of the DNA repair machinery that would normally protect the genome. To address the applicability of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (PARPi) combined with radiotherapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) two approaches were used: firstly, the in vitro sensitivity to the PARPi Veliparib and Talazoparib +/- radiation exposure was determined in liver cell lines and the impact of the HBV X protein (HBx) that deregulates cellular DNA damage repair via SMC5/6 degradation was investigated. Secondly, PARP expression profiles and DNA damage levels using the surrogate marker gammaH2AX were assessed in a panel of control liver vs HCC tissues.

Methods: Cell cytotoxicity was measured by clonogenic survival or relative cell growth and the DNA damage response using immunological-based techniques in Hep3B, PLC/PRF/5, HepG2- and HepaRG-derived models. Transcriptome changes due to HBx expression vs SMC6 loss were assessed by RNA sequencing in HepaRG-derived models. PARP and PARG transcripts (qPCR) and PARP1, H2AX and gammaH2AX protein levels (RPPA) were compared in control liver vs HBV-, HCV-, alcohol- and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-associated HCC (tumor/peritumor) tissues.

Results: PARPi cytotoxicity was significantly enhanced when combined with X-rays (2Gy) with Talazoparib having a greater impact than Veliparib in most in vitro models. HBx expression significantly lowered survival, probably driven by SMC5/6 loss based on the transcriptome analysis and higher DNA damage levels. PARP1 and PARP2 transcript levels were significantly higher in tumor than peritumor and control tissues. The HBV/HCV/alcohol-associated tumor tissues studied had reduced H2AX but higher gammaH2AX protein levels compared to peritumor and control tissues providing evidence of increased DNA damage during liver disease progression.

Conclusions: These proof-of-concept experiments support PARPi alone or combined with radiotherapy for HCC treatment, particularly for HBV-associated tumors, that warrant further investigation.

Keywords: DNA damage; Hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein; Liver cancer; SMC5/6; Talazoparib; Veliparib.; gammaH2AX.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / radiotherapy
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / virology
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Death / radiation effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Hepatitis B / complications
  • Hepatitis C / complications
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Liver Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
  • Liver Neoplasms* / virology
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors* / pharmacology

Substances

  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors