TAK1 inhibitor 5Z-7-oxozeaenol sensitizes neuroblastoma to chemotherapy

Apoptosis. 2013 Oct;18(10):1224-34. doi: 10.1007/s10495-013-0864-0.

Abstract

Treatment failure in high risk neuroblastoma is largely due to development of chemoresistance. NF-κB activation is one of the resistance mechanisms for cancer cells to escape from chemotherapy-induced cell-death. TAK1 is an essential component in genotoxic stresses-induced NF-κB activation; however, the role of TAK1 in the development of chemoresistance in neuroblastoma remains unknown. Using a panel of neuroblastoma cell lines, we found that TAK1 inhibitor 5Z-7-oxozeaenol significantly augmented the cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin (Dox) and etoposide (VP-16) on neuroblastoma cell lines. TAK1 inhibition also enhanced the inhibitory effect of Dox and VP-16 on anchorage-independent growth. Treatment of neuroblastoma cells with 5Z-7-oxozeaenol blocked Dox- and VP16-induced NF-κB activation and enhanced Dox- and VP16-induced apoptosis. Moreover, 5Z-7-oxozeaenol was able to overcome the established chemoresistance in LA-N-6 neuroblastoma cells. Using an orthotopic neuroblastoma mouse model, we found that 5Z-7-oxozeaenol significantly enhanced chemotherapeutic efficacy in vivo. Together, our results provide a proof-of-concept that TAK1 inhibition significantly increases the sensitivity of neuroblastoma cells to chemotherapy-induced cell-death and can serve as an effective adjunct to current chemotherapeutic regimens for high risk diseases.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Line, Tumor / drug effects
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Drug Synergism
  • Etoposide / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Heterografts
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neuroblastoma / drug therapy*
  • Neuroblastoma / pathology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Zearalenone / analogs & derivatives*
  • Zearalenone / pharmacology

Substances

  • 7-oxozeanol
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Zearalenone
  • Etoposide
  • Doxorubicin
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases
  • MAP kinase kinase kinase 7