EGFR-targeted TRAIL and a Smac mimetic synergize to overcome apoptosis resistance in KRAS mutant colorectal cancer cells

PLoS One. 2014 Sep 8;9(9):e107165. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107165. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

TRAIL is a death receptor ligand that induces cell death preferentially in tumor cells. Recombinant soluble TRAIL, however, performs poorly as an anti-cancer therapeutic because oligomerization is required for potent biological activity. We previously generated a diabody format of tumor-targeted TRAIL termed Db(αEGFR-sc)TRAIL, comprising single-stranded TRAIL molecules (scTRAIL) and the variable domains of a humanized variant of the EGFR blocking antibody Cetuximab. Here we define the bioactivity of Db(αEGFR)-scTRAIL with regard to both EGFR inhibition and TRAIL receptor activation in 3D cultures of Caco-2 colorectal cancer cells, which express wild-type K-Ras. Compared with conventional 2D cultures, Caco-2 cells displayed strongly enhanced sensitivity toward Db(αEGFR)-scTRAIL in these 3D cultures. We show that the antibody moiety of Db(αEGFR-sc)TRAIL not only efficiently competed with ligand-induced EGFR function, but also determined the apoptotic response by specifically directing Db(αEGFR)-scTRAIL to EGFR-positive cells. To address how aberrantly activated K-Ras, which leads to Cetuximab resistance, affects Db(αEGFR-sc)TRAIL sensitivity, we generated stable Caco-2tet cells inducibly expressing oncogenic K-Ras(G12V). In the presence of doxycycline, these cells showed increased resistance to Db(αEGFR-sc)TRAIL, associated with the elevated expression of the anti-apoptotic proteins cIAP2, Bcl-xL and FlipS. Co-treatment of cells with the Smac mimetic SM83 restored the Db(αEGFR)-scTRAIL-induced apoptotic response. Importantly, this synergy between Db(αEGFR)-scTRAIL and SM83 also translated to 3D cultures of oncogenic K-Ras expressing HCT-116 and LoVo colorectal cancer cells. Our findings thus support the notion that Db(αEGFR)-scTRAIL therapy in combination with apoptosis-sensitizing agents may be promising for the treatment of EGFR-positive colorectal cancers, independently of their KRAS status.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Biomimetic Materials / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cetuximab / pharmacology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Drug Synergism
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Mutation*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / pharmacology*
  • ras Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • DIABLO protein, human
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • KRAS protein, human
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
  • ras Proteins
  • Cetuximab