Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 lethally sensitizes cancer cells to stress-targeted therapeutic inhibitors

Author(s):Show less -

Dias, Matheus H. ; Fonseca, Cecilia S. ; Zeidler, Julianna D. ; Albuquerque, Layra L. ; da Silva, Marcelo S. ; Cararo-Lopes, Eduardo ; Reis, Marcelo S. ; Noel, Vincent ; dos Santos, Edmilson O. ; Prior, Ian A. ; Armelin, Hugo A.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY; v. 13, n. 2, p. 17-pg., 2019-02-01.

Abstract

In malignant transformation, cellular stress-response pathways are dynamically mobilized to counterbalance oncogenic activity, keeping cancer cells viable. Therapeutic disruption of this vulnerable homeostasis might change the outcome of many human cancers, particularly those for which no effective therapy is available. Here, we report the use of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) to demonstrate that further mitogenic activation disrupts cellular homeostasis and strongly sensitizes cancer cells to stress-targeted therapeutic inhibitors. We show that FGF2 enhanced replication and proteotoxic stresses in a K-Ras-driven murine cancer cell model, and combinations of FGF2 and proteasome or DNA damage response-checkpoint inhibitors triggered cell death. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated K-Ras depletion suppressed the malignant phenotype and prevented these synergic toxicities in these murine cells. Moreover, in a panel of human Ewing's sarcoma family tumor cells, sublethal concentrations of bortezomib (proteasome inhibitor) or VE-821 (ATR inhibitor) induced cell death when combined with FGF2. Sustained MAPK-ERK1/2 overactivation induced by FGF2 appears to underlie these synthetic lethalities, as late pharmacological inhibition of this pathway restored cell homeostasis and prevented these described synergies. Our results highlight how mitotic signaling pathways which are frequently overridden in malignant transformation might be exploited to disrupt the robustness of cancer cells, ultimately sensitizing them to stress-targeted therapies. This approach provides a new therapeutic rationale for human cancers, with important implications for tumors still lacking effective treatment, and for those that frequently relapse after treatment with available therapies. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/17945-6 - Proteome/phosphoproteome networks investigation of the complementary role of Cyclin D1 for Ras-driven malignant transformation
• Grantee: Matheus Henrique dos Santos Dias
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 13/09040-5 - Investigation of the molecular mechanisms involved in G2- mitosis transition blockage induced by FGF2 in Ras-driven malignant cells
• Grantee: Cecilia Sella Fonseca
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 12/20186-9 - Molecular mechanisms of functional interaction between Ras and cyclin D1 in Ras-driven malignant cells
• Grantee: Matheus Henrique dos Santos Dias
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 13/24212-7 - Bioinformatics and modelling
• Grantee: Vincent Olivier Jean-Marie Noel
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral