Distinct concentration-dependent effects of the polo-like kinase 1-specific inhibitor GSK461364A, including differential effect on apoptosis

Cancer Res. 2009 Sep 1;69(17):6969-77. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-09-0945. Epub 2009 Aug 18.

Abstract

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is a conserved serine/threonine kinase that plays an essential role in regulating the many processes involved in mitotic entry and progression. In humans, Plk1 is expressed primarily during late G(2) and M phases and, in conjunction with Cdk1/cyclin B1, acts as master regulatory kinases for the myriad protein substrates involved in mitosis. Plk1 overexpression is strongly associated with cancer and has been correlated with poor prognosis in a broad range of human tumor types. We have identified a potent, selective, reversible, ATP-competitive inhibitor of Plk1, GSK461364A, capable of inhibiting cell growth of most proliferating cancer cell lines tested. We observe distinct cell cycle effects of GSK461364A depending on the dose used. The predominant phenotype for cells treated with GSK461364A is prometaphase arrest with characteristic collapsed polar polo spindle. At high concentrations, GSK461364A delays mitotic entry in G(2) followed by gradual progression into terminal mitosis; in some cell lines, this correlates with decreased apoptosis. Cell culture growth inhibition by GSK461364A can be cytostatic or cytotoxic but leads to tumor regression in xenograft tumor models under proper dose scheduling. Finally, we describe pharmacodynamic biomarkers of GSK461364A activity (pHH3 and Plk1) that are currently being evaluated in human cancer clinical trials.

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • G2 Phase / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mitosis / drug effects
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / enzymology
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • Polo-Like Kinase 1
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • Thiophenes / pharmacology*
  • Thiophenes / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • GSK 461364A
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Thiophenes
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases