Combination of a MEK inhibitor at sub-MTD with a PI3K/mTOR inhibitor significantly suppresses growth of lung adenocarcinoma tumors in Kras(G12D-LSL) mice

Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2012 Aug;70(2):213-20. doi: 10.1007/s00280-012-1899-6. Epub 2012 Jun 9.

Abstract

The role of PI3K and MAPK pathways in tumor initiation and progression is well established; hence, several inhibitors of these pathways are currently in different stages of clinical trials. Recent studies identified a PI3K/mTOR (PF-04691502) and a MEK inhibitor (PD-0325901) with strong potency and efficacy in different cell lines and tumor models. PD-0325901, however, showed adverse effects when administered at or above MTD (maximum tolerated dose) in the clinic. Here, we show in preclinical models that PD-0325901 at doses well below MTD (sub-MTD 1.5 mg/kg SID) is still a potent compound as single agent or in combination with PF-04691502. We first observed that PD-0325901 at 1.5 mg/kg SID and in combination with PF-04691502 (7.5 mg/kg; SID) significantly inhibited growth of H460 (carry Kras and PIK3CA mutations) orthotopic lung tumors. Additionally, we tested efficacy of PD-0325901 in Kras(G12D-LSL) conditional GEMMs (genetically engineered mouse models) which are a valuable tool in translational research to study tumor progression. Intranasal delivery of adenoviruses expressing Cre recombinase (Adeno-Cre) resulted in expression of mutant Kras leading to development of tumor lesions in lungs including adenomatous hyperplasia, large adenoma, and adenocarcinoma. Similar to H460 tumors, PD-0325901 as single agent or in combination with PF-04691502 significantly inhibited growth of tumor lesions in lungs in Kras(G12D-LSL) mice when treatment started at adenocarcinoma stage (at 14 weeks post-Adeno-Cre inhalation). In addition, immunohistochemistry showed inhibition of pS6 (phosphorylated ribosomal S6) in the treated animals particularly in the combination group providing a proof of mechanism for tumor growth inhibition. Finally, m-CT imaging in live Kras(G12D-LSL) mice showed reduction of tumor burdens in PD-0325901-treated animals at sub-MTD dose. In conclusion, our data suggest that PD-0325901 at doses below MTD is still a potent compound capable of tumor growth inhibition where Kras and/or PI3K are drivers of tumor growth and progression.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
  • Adenocarcinoma / enzymology
  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Benzamides / administration & dosage
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Diphenylamine / administration & dosage
  • Diphenylamine / analogs & derivatives
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Maximum Tolerated Dose
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / genetics*
  • Pyridones / administration & dosage
  • Pyrimidines / administration & dosage
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • 2-amino-8-(4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)cyclohexyl)-6-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-4-methylpyrido(2,3-d)pyrimidin-7(8H)-one
  • Benzamides
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyridones
  • Pyrimidines
  • mirdametinib
  • Diphenylamine
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases
  • Hras protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)