AZD-4547 exerts potent cytostatic and cytotoxic activities against fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)-expressing colorectal cancer cells

Tumour Biol. 2015 Jul;36(7):5641-8. doi: 10.1007/s13277-015-3237-1. Epub 2015 Feb 19.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) causes significant mortalities worldwide. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor (FGFR) signaling is frequently dysregulated and/or constitutively activated in CRCs, contributing to cancer carcinogenesis and progression. Here, we studied the activity of AZD-4547, a novel and potent FGFR kinase inhibitor, on CRC cells. AZD-4547 inhibited CRC cell growth in vitro, and its activity correlated with the FGFR-1/2 expression level. AZD-4547 was cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic in FGFR-1/2-expressed CRC cell lines (NCI-H716 and HCT-116), but not in FGFR-1/2 null HT-29 cells. Further, AZD-4547 inhibited cell cycle progression and attenuated the activation of FGFR1-FGFR substrate 2 (FRS-2), ERK/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (AKT/mTOR) signalings in NCI-H716 and HCT-116 cells. In vivo, AZD-4547 oral administration at effective doses inhibited NCI-H716 (high FGFR-1/2 expression) xenograft growth in nude mice. Phosphorylation of FGFR-1, AKT, and ERK1/2 in xenograft specimens was also inhibited by AZD-4547 administration. Thus, our preclinical studies strongly support possible clinical investigations of AZD-4547 for the treatment of CRCs harboring deregulated FGFR signalings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Benzamides / administration & dosage*
  • Carcinogenesis / drug effects
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • HCT116 Cells
  • HT29 Cells
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Piperazines / administration & dosage*
  • Pyrazoles / administration & dosage*
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1 / biosynthesis*
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1 / genetics
  • Signal Transduction
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • AZD4547
  • Benzamides
  • Piperazines
  • Pyrazoles
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • MTOR protein, human
  • FGFR1 protein, human
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases