Abstract 473: Elevated cAMP decreases migratory potential in pancreatic cancer cells

Abstract

Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most lethal cancers, primarily resulting from inherent, aggressive dissemination. As elevated concentrations of cAMP are known to inhibit cell movement in multiple tissues, we investigated the role of cAMP in regulating migration of model pancreatic cancer cells. Increased cAMP concentrations were induced either through forskolin, an activator of adenylyl cyclase, the cAMP analog 6-bnz-cAMP, or by two phosphodiesterase cyclic nucleotide inhibitors, cilostamide or IBMX. Transwell migration assays demonstrated cAMP elevating agents significantly decreased migration of Panc1, MiaPaCa2, and HPAFII pancreatic cancer cell lines. In Panc1 cells, inhibition was dose-dependent and not significantly different between forskolin, cilostamide, or IBMX treatment. Importantly, a significant decrease in cell migration was also observed in cells treated with 6-bnz-cAMP, a specific activator of protein kinase A. The decrease in migration did not reflect alterations in cell proliferation as cell cycle analysis demonstrated little to no change in proliferation in treated compared to control cells. Similarly, the decrease in cell migration was not a function of programmed cell death as apoptosis was not elevated in cells treated with cAMP elevating agents. Consistent with its known role in F-actin rearrangement, elevated levels of cAMP increased phosphorylated RhoA and the resultant decrease in active RhoA-GTP. As expected, fluorescence microscopy indicated a significant increase in cortical actin formation along the perimeter of forskolin or cilostamide-treated cells. Taken together these data suggest that the novel use of existing anti-inflammatory drugs that target the cAMP signaling networks have the potential to block pancreatic cancer dissemination. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 473. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-473