Uptake of 2-NBDG as a method to monitor therapy response in breast cancer cell lines

Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2011 Feb;126(1):55-62. doi: 10.1007/s10549-010-0884-1.

Abstract

This study quantifies uptake of a fluorescent glucose analog, (2-(N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino)-2-deoxyglucose) (2-NBDG), in a large panel of breast cancer cells and demonstrates potential to monitor changes in glycolysis caused by anticancer and endocrine therapies. Expressions of glucose transporter (GLUT 1) and hexokinase (HK I), which phosphorylates 2-NBDG, were measured via western blot in two normal mammary epithelial and eight breast cancer cell lines of varying biological subtype. Fluorescence intensity of each cell line labeled with 100 lM 2-NBDG for 20 min or unlabeled control was quantified. A subset of cancer cells was treated with anticancer and endocrine therapies, and 2-NBDG fluorescence changes were measured. Expression of GLUT 1 was necessary for uptake of 2-NBDG, as demonstrated by lack of 2-NBDG uptake in normal human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs). GLUT 1 expression and 2-NBDG uptake was ubiquitous among all breast cancer lines. Reduction and stimulation of 2-NBDG uptake was demonstrated by perturbation with anticancer agents, lonidamine (LND), and a-cyano-hydroxycinnamate (a-Cinn), respectively. LND directly inhibits HK and significantly reduced 2-NBDG fluorescence in a subset of two breast cancer cell lines. Conversely, when cells were treated with a-Cinn, a drug used to increase glycolysis, 2-NBDG uptake was increased. Furthermore, tamoxifen (tam), a common endocrine therapy, was administered to estrogen receptor positive and negative (ER?/-) breast cells and demonstrated a decreased 2-NBDG uptake in ER? cells, reflecting a decrease in glycolysis. Results indicate that 2-NBDG uptake can be used to measure changes in glycolysis and has potential for use in early drug development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • 4-Chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan / analogs & derivatives*
  • 4-Chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan / pharmacokinetics
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / pharmacology
  • Blotting, Western
  • Breast / drug effects*
  • Breast / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Deoxyglucose / analogs & derivatives*
  • Deoxyglucose / pharmacokinetics
  • Female
  • Glucose / metabolism*
  • Glucose Transporter Type 1 / metabolism
  • Hexokinase / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Phosphorylation
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Tamoxifen / pharmacology*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Glucose Transporter Type 1
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • SLC2A1 protein, human
  • Tamoxifen
  • Deoxyglucose
  • HK1 protein, human
  • Hexokinase
  • 4-Chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan
  • Glucose
  • 2-(N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino)-2-deoxyglucose