Combination effects of SMAC mimetic birinapant with TNF?, TRAIL, and docetaxel in preclinical models of HNSCC.
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ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS:Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells are resistant to cell death induced by tumor necrosis factor ligands such as tumor necrosis factor ? (TNF?) or TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and cytotoxic chemotherapies. Recently, genetic alterations in cell death pathways, including inhibitor of apoptosis proteins, have been demonstrated in HNSCC. We investigated the effects of birinapant, a novel, second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases (SMAC)-mimetic that targets inhibitor of apoptosis proteins, alone and in combination with TNF?, TRAIL, or chemotherapy docetaxel. STUDY DESIGN:Experimental study using human HNSCC cell lines in vitro and xenograft mouse model in vivo. METHODS:A panel of HNSCC cell lines with varying genetic alterations in cell death pathway components were treated with birinapant?±?TNF?, TRAIL, and docetaxel and were assessed for effects on cell density, cell cycle, and death. Synergism was determined at varying concentrations of treatments using the Chou-Talalay method. Combination studies using birinapant?±?docetaxel were performed in a xenograft mouse model. RESULTS:Birinapant, alone or in combination with TNF? or TRAIL, decreased cell density in cell lines, with IC50 s ranging from 0.5 nM to?>?1 µM. Birinapant alone or with TNF significantly increased subG0 cell death in different lines. Docetaxel showed synergism with birinapant?±?TNF? in vitro. Birinapant monotherapy-inhibited growth in a tumor xenograft model resistant to docetaxel, and combination treatment further delayed growth. CONCLUSIONS:Birinapant alone or in combination with TNF? or TRAIL and docetaxel decreased cell density, increased cell death, and displayed antitumor activity in a preclinical HNSCC xenograft exhibiting aberrations in cell death pathway components and docetaxel resistance.
SUBMITTER: Eytan DF
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4336212 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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