Abstract
Introduction: Glioblastoma (GBM) is an incurable cancer type. New therapeutic options are investigated, including targeting the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway using MEK inhibitors as radio-sensitizers. In this study, we investigated whether MEK inhibition via PD0325901 leads to radio-sensitization in experimental in vitro and in vivo models of GBM. Materials and Methods: In vitro, GBM8 multicellular spheroids were irradiated with 3 fractions of 2 Gy, during 5 consecutive days of incubation with either PD0325901 or MEK-162. In vivo, we combined PD0325901 with radiotherapy in the GBM8 orthotopic mouse model, tumor growth was measured weekly by bioluminescence imaging and overall survival and toxicity were assessed. Results: Regrowth and viability of spheroids monitored until day 18, showed that both MEK inhibitors had an in vitro radio-sensitizing effect. In vivo, PD0325901 concentrations were relatively constant throughout multiple brain areas and temporal PD0325901-related adverse events such as dermatitis were observed in 4 out of 14 mice (29%). Mice that were treated with radiation alone or combined with PD0325901 had significantly better survival compared to vehicle (both P < 0.005), however, no significant interaction between PD0325901 MEK inhibition and irradiation was observed. Conclusion: The difference between the radiotherapy-enhancing effect of PD0325901 in vitro and in vivo urges further pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic investigation of PD0325901 and possibly other candidate MEK inhibitors.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology |
Early online date | 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 2022 |
Keywords
- Brain tumor
- Glioblastoma
- In vitro
- In vivo
- MEK inhibition
- Radiosensitizing