P01.16 Effects of the STAT3 inhibitors on senescent tumour cells

Abstract

BackgroundCellular senescence is the process of cell proliferation arrest. Premature cellular senescence can be induced by chemotherapy, irradiation and, under certain circumstances, by cytokines. Senescent cells produce a number of secreted proteins and growth factors that may either stimulate or inhibit cell proliferation. One of the major cytokines that play role in regulation of cellular senescence is IL-6. IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway represent decisive regulatory factors in cellular senescence. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of the STAT3 inhibitors on senescent and proliferative tumour cells. Further, the therapeutic potential of the STAT3 inhibitors was evaluated using murine tumour models.Materials and MethodsIn vitro, as well as in vivo experiments were performed using TC-1 (model for HPV16-associated tumours) TRAMP-C2 (prostate cancer) cell lines. C57Bl/6NCrl mice, 7–8 weeks old, were obtained from Velaz (Prague, Czech Republic). Experimental protocols were approved by the Institutional Animal Care Committee of the Institute of Molecular Genetics (Prague, Czech Republic). STAT3 inhibitors, namely STATTIC, BP-102 (synthesised at the University of Hradec Kralove) and their derivatives were tested for their effects on tumour cells, such as cytotoxicity, ability to inhibit STAT3 phosphorylation, cell proliferation and tumour growth in syngeneic mice.ResultsWe have previously demonstrated that docetaxel-induced senescence in the TC-1 and TRAMP-C2 murine tumour cell lines, which was proved by in vitro (detection of increased p21 expression, positive beta-galactosidase staining, and the typical SASP capable to induce ‘bystander’ senescence), and in vivo experiments, using C57BL/6 mice [1]. Both TC-1 and TRAMP-C2 cells displayed elevated IL-6 secretion and activated STAT3 signaling pathway. Therefore, we tested efficacy of the STAT3 inhibitors on these cell lines. Cytotoxic and STAT3 phosphorylation inhibitory effects of the inhibitors were observed in both proliferating and senescent cells. Antitumor effects of selected inhibitors were evaluated.ConclusionsCollectively, STAT3 is an attractive target for therapeutic approaches in cancer treatment and we can assume that inhibition of the STAT3 pathway can be used for elimination of the pernicious effects of the senescent cells.ReferenceSimova J, Sapega O, Imrichova T, Stepanek I, Kyjacova L, Mikyskova R, Indrova M, Bieblova J, Bubenik J, Bartek J, et al: Tumor growth accelerated by chemotherapy-induced senescent cells is suppressed by treatment with IL-12 producing cellular vaccines. Oncotarget7: 54952–54964, 2016. This work was supported by the research grant No. NV18-05-00562 provided by the Grant Agency of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic.Disclosure InformationO. Sapega: None. R. Mikyskova: None. K. Musilek: None. J. Bieblova: None. Z. Hodny: None. M. Reinis: None.