A small-molecule IAP inhibitor overcomes resistance to cytotoxic therapies in malignant gliomas in vitro and in vivo

Neuro Oncol. 2011 Aug;13(8):820-9. doi: 10.1093/neuonc/nor066. Epub 2011 Jul 1.

Abstract

We tested the use of the small-molecule Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein (IAP) inhibitor LBW242 in combination with the standard-of-care therapies of irradiation and temozolomide for malignant gliomas. In vitro assays demonstrated that LBW242 enhanced the cytotoxic activity of radiotherapy, and clonogenic assays showed that the combination therapy led to a synergistic anti-glioma effect in multiple cell lines. Neurosphere assays revealed that the combination of radiation and LBW242 led to a pro-apoptotic effect in these glioma-initiating cell-enriched assays, with a corresponding inhibition of primary tumor cell growth. Athymic mice bearing established human malignant glioma tumor xenografts treated with LBW242 plus radiation and temozolomide demonstrated a synergistic suppression of tumor growth. Taken together, these experiments show that the pro-apoptotic and anti-glioma effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be enhanced by the addition of a small-molecule IAP inhibitor. These results are readily translatable to clinical trial and offer the potential for improved treatment outcomes for patients with glioma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / radiation effects
  • Blotting, Western
  • Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / radiation effects
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Dacarbazine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Dacarbazine / therapeutic use
  • Gamma Rays
  • Glioma / drug therapy*
  • Glioma / pathology
  • Glioma / radiotherapy
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Oligopeptides / therapeutic use*
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Temozolomide
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
  • LBW242
  • Oligopeptides
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents
  • Dacarbazine
  • Temozolomide