In vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activity of miR-221/222 inhibitors in multiple myeloma

Oncotarget. 2013 Feb;4(2):242-55. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.820.

Abstract

A rising body of evidence suggests that silencing microRNAs (miRNAs) with oncogenic potential may represent a successful therapeutic strategy for human cancer. We investigated the therapeutic activity of miR-221/222 inhibitors against human multiple myeloma (MM) cells. Enforced expression of miR-221/222 inhibitors triggered in vitro anti-proliferative effects and up-regulation of canonic miR-221/222 targets, including p27Kip1, PUMA, PTEN and p57Kip2, in MM cells highly expressing miR-221/222. Conversely, transfection of miR-221/222 mimics increased S-phase and down-regulated p27Kip1 protein expression in MM with low basal miR-221/222 levels. The effects of miR-221/222 inhibitors was also evaluated in MM xenografts in SCID/ NOD mice. Significant anti-tumor activity was achieved in xenografted mice by the treatment with miR-221/222 inhibitors, together with up-regulation of canonic protein targets in tumors retrieved from animals. These findings provide proof of principle that silencing the miR-221/222 cluster exerts significant therapeutic activity in MM cells with high miR-221/222 level of expression, which mostly occurs in TC2 and TC4 MM groups. These findings suggest that MM genotyping may predict the therapeutic response. All together our results support a framework for clinical development of miR-221/222 inhibitors-based therapeutic strategy in this still incurable disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Growth Processes / physiology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Down-Regulation
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, SCID
  • MicroRNAs / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • MicroRNAs / biosynthesis
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • Multiple Myeloma / genetics*
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology
  • Multiple Myeloma / therapy*
  • Transfection
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • MIRN221 microRNA, human
  • MIRN222 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs