Combination of a Selective HSP90α/β Inhibitor and a RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK Signaling Pathway Inhibitor Triggers Synergistic Cytotoxicity in Multiple Myeloma Cells

PLoS One. 2015 Dec 2;10(12):e0143847. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143847. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Heat shock protein (HSP)90 inhibitors have shown significant anti-tumor activities in preclinical settings in both solid and hematological tumors. We previously reported that the novel, orally available HSP90α/β inhibitor TAS-116 shows significant anti-MM activities. In this study, we further examined the combination effect of TAS-116 with a RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling pathway inhibitor in RAS- or BRAF-mutated MM cell lines. TAS-116 monotherapy significantly inhibited growth of RAS-mutated MM cell lines and was associated with decreased expression of downstream target proteins of the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling pathway. Moreover, TAS-116 showed synergistic growth inhibitory effects with the farnesyltransferase inhibitor tipifarnib, the BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib, and the MEK inhibitor selumetinib. Importantly, treatment with these inhibitors paradoxically enhanced p-C-Raf, p-MEK, and p-ERK activity, which was abrogated by TAS-116. TAS-116 also enhanced dabrafenib-induced MM cytotoxicity associated with mitochondrial damage-induced apoptosis, even in the BRAF-mutated U266 MM cell line. This enhanced apoptosis in RAS-mutated MM triggered by combination treatment was observed even in the presence of bone marrow stromal cells. Taken together, our results provide the rationale for novel combination treatment with HSP90α/β inhibitor and RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling pathway inhibitors to improve outcomes in patients with in RAS- or BRAF-mutated MM.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Benzamides / pharmacology
  • Benzimidazoles / pharmacology
  • Bortezomib / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Genes, ras*
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects*
  • Multiple Myeloma / genetics
  • Multiple Myeloma / metabolism
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology*
  • Oximes / pharmacology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / genetics
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology

Substances

  • AZD 6244
  • Benzamides
  • Benzimidazoles
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Imidazoles
  • Oximes
  • Pyrazoles
  • TAS-116
  • Bortezomib
  • Doxorubicin
  • BRAF protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
  • dabrafenib