Purpose: Refractory or recurrent retinoblastoma results from acquired chemoresistance and the management of these eyes often requires surgical removal. Our objective was to develop retinoblastoma models resistant to chemotherapy by exposing cancer cells to repeated chemotherapy mimicking the clinical scenario. These newly resistant cells were used to evaluate potential novel therapies.
Methods: Chemoresistant cells were obtained by exposing two primary retinoblastoma cell cultures to three weekly doses of melphalan or topotecan. The sensitivity of these resistant cells to each chemotherapy was evaluated, and cross-resistance to topotecan, melphalan, and carboplatin was assessed. Genomic alterations and differential expression of efflux/influx transporters between chemoresistant and parental cells were analyzed. Subsequently, sensitivity of both resistant and parental cells to the repurposed agents digoxin, methylene blue, and gemcitabine was assessed.
Results: Four chemoresistant models were successfully established, showing significantly higher half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for melphalan and topotecan compared to their corresponding parental cells (P < 0.05). Cross-resistance between melphalan and topotecan was demonstrated, with a 3-fold increase in the IC50. Chemoresistant cells also showed reduced sensitivity to carboplatin (P < 0.05) compared to parental cells, whereas sensitivity to the evaluated repurposed agents remained unchanged. Genomic analysis revealed no selective alterations in the resistant cells, although differential expression of influx/efflux transporters was observed across all chemoresistant models.
Conclusions: In vitro simulation of patient treatment was useful to establish chemoresistant retinoblastomas and to identify strategies to overcome resistance to topotecan or melphalan through drug repurposed. Our results warrant further investigation to support the clinical translation.