Does the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib sensitize to DNA- damaging therapy in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms? - A preclinical assessment in vitro and in vivo

F Briest, EJ Koziolek, J Albrecht, F Schmidt, Monique Bernsen, Joost Haeck, AA Kuhl, D Sedding, T Hartung, S Exner, M Welzel, C Fischer, C Grotzinger, W Brenner, RP Baum, P Grabowski

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Abstract

Background: Well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms are rare tumors with a slow proliferation. They are virtually resistant to many DNA-damaging therapeutic approaches, such as chemo- and external beam therapy, which might be overcome by DNA damage inhibition induced by proteasome inhibitors such as bortezomib. Methods and results: In this study, we assessed several combined treatment modalities in vitro and in vivo. By cell-based functional analyses, in a 3D in ovo and an orthotopic mouse model, we demonstrated sensitizing effects of bortezomib combined with cisplatin, radiation and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). By gene expression profiling and western blot, we explored the underlying mechanisms, which resulted in an impaired DNA damage repair. Therapy-induced DNA damage triggered extrinsic proapoptotic signaling as well as the induction of cell cycle arrest, leading to a decreased vital tumor volume and altered tissue composition shown by magnetic resonance imaging and F-18-FDG-PET in vivo, however with no significant additional benefit related to PRRT alone. Conclusions: We demonstrated that bortezomib has short-term sensitizing effects when combined with DNA damaging therapy by interfering with DNA repair in vitro and in ovo. Nevertheless, due to high tumor heterogeneity after PRRT in long-term observations, we were not able to prove a therapeutic advantage of bortezomib-combined PRRT in an in vivo mouse model.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)80-98
Number of pages19
JournalNeoplasia (United States)
Volume23
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
FB and PG were supported by the Theranostic Research Network Germany. The group of Dr. Patricia Grabowski receives financial support from Ipsen Pharma, Novartis and Pfizer. FB and PG received a travel grant and a lecture salary from Ipsen Pharma.

Funding Information:
Funding: This work was supported by the Theranostics Research Network. The project was further supported by a Young Investigators in Neuroendocrine Neoplasia for Germany Grant from Novartis Pharma GmbH. This work was supported in part by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) for PET/MRI use (INST 335/454-1FUGG ) and in part by the Technologiestiftung Berlin (TSB) for SPECT/CT use. The funding sources had no involvement in the conduct of the research and/or preparation of the article, in study design, in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, in the writing of the report, and in the decision to submit the article for publication.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 The Authors

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  • EMC OR-01

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