AZD1152 negatively affects the growth of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells and enhances the effects of oncolytic virus dl922-947

Endocr Relat Cancer. 2011 Jan 13;18(1):129-41. doi: 10.1677/ERC-10-0234. Print 2011 Feb.

Abstract

Novel therapeutic approaches are required for the treatment of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), an incurable disease resistant to current available therapies. Aurora B is an important mitotic kinase involved in chromosome segregation and cytokinesis. It is overexpressed in many cancers including ATC and represents a potential target for chemotherapy. The effects of AZD1152, a specific Aurora B kinase inhibitor, have been evaluated against ATC, showing G(2)/M accumulation, polyploidy and subsequent cell death by mitotic catastrophe upon drug treatment. Only three administrations of AZD1152 significantly reduced the growth of ATC tumour xenogratfs. Oncolytic viruses in association with other forms of treatment have proven highly promising in preclinical and clinical reports. The oncolytic adenovirus dl922-947 is active against ATC cells, and we have evaluated the effects of the association between AZD1152 and dl922-947. In cells treated with virus and drug, we report additive/synergistic killing effects. Interestingly, the phosphorylation of histone H3 (Ser10), the main Aurora B substrate, is inhibited by dl922-947 in a dose-dependent manner, and completely abolished in association with AZD1152. The combined treatment significantly inhibited the growth of ATC tumour xenografts with respect to single treatments. Our data demonstrate that the Aurora B inhibitor AZD1152, alone or in combination with oncolytic virus dl922-947, could represent a novel therapeutic option for the treatment of ATC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Drug Synergism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Oncolytic Virotherapy
  • Oncolytic Viruses / physiology*
  • Organophosphates / pharmacology*
  • Organophosphates / therapeutic use
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Quinazolines / pharmacology*
  • Quinazolines / therapeutic use
  • Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / therapy
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • 2-((3-((4-((5-(2-((3-fluorophenyl)amino)-2-oxoethyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)quinazolin-7-yl)oxy)propyl)(ethyl)amino)ethyl dihydrogen phosphate
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Organophosphates
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Quinazolines