Inhibition Of Homologous Recombination Repair Research Articles

Combined inhibition of Wee1 and PARP1/2 for radiosensitization in pancreatic cancer.

While the addition of radiation to chemotherapy improves survival in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer, more effective therapies are urgently needed. Thus, we investigated the radiosensitizing efficacy of the novel drug combination of Wee1 and PARP1/2 inhibitors (AZD1775 and olaparib, respectively) in pancreatic cancer. Radiosensitization of AsPC-1 or MiaPaCa-2 human pancreatic cancer cells was assessed by clonogenic survival and tumor growth assays. Mechanistically, the effects of AZD1775, olaparib, and radiation on cell cycle, DNA damage (γH2AX), and homologous recombination repair (HRR) were determined. Treatment of AsPC-1 and MiaPaCa-2 cells with either AZD1775 or olaparib caused modest radiosensitization, whereas treatment with the combination significantly increased radiosensitization. Radiosensitization by the combination of AZD1775 and olaparib was associated with G2 checkpoint abrogation and persistent DNA damage. In addition, AZD1775 inhibited HRR activity and prevented radiation-induced Rad51 focus formation. Finally, in vivo, in MiaPaCa-2-derived xenografts, olaparib did not radiosensitize, whereas AZD1775 produced moderate, yet significant, radiosensitization (P < 0.05). Importantly, the combination of AZD1775 and olaparib produced highly significant radiosensitization (P < 0.0001) evidenced by a 13-day delay in tumor volume doubling (vs. radiation alone) and complete eradication of 20% of tumors. Taken together, these results demonstrate the efficacy of combined inhibition of Wee1 and PARP inhibitors for radiosensitizing pancreatic cancers and support the model that Wee1 inhibition sensitizes cells to PARP inhibitor-mediated radiosensitization through inhibition of HRR and abrogation of the G2 checkpoint, ultimately resulting in unrepaired, lethal DNA damage and radiosensitization. Clin Cancer Res; 20(19); 5085-96. ©2014 AACR.

Inhibition of Protein Phosphatase 2A Radiosensitizes Pancreatic Cancers by Modulating CDC25C/CDK1 and Homologous Recombination Repair

To identify targets whose inhibition may enhance the efficacy of chemoradiation in pancreatic cancer and thus improve survival, we conducted an siRNA library screen in pancreatic cancer cells. We investigated PPP2R1A, a scaffolding subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) as a lead radiosensitizing target. We determined the effect of PP2A inhibition by genetic (PPP2R1A siRNA) and pharmacologic (LB100, a small molecule entering phase I clinical trials) approaches on radiosensitization of Panc-1 and MiaPaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. PPP2R1A depletion by siRNA radiosensitized Panc-1 and MiaPaCa-2 cells, with radiation enhancement ratios of 1.4 (P < 0.05). Likewise, LB100 produced similar radiosensitization in pancreatic cancer cells, but minimal radiosensitization in normal small intestinal cells. Mechanistically, PPP2R1A siRNA or LB100 caused aberrant CDK1 activation, likely resulting from accumulation of the active forms of PLK1 (pPLK1 T210) and CDC25C (pCDC25C T130). Furthermore, LB100 inhibited radiation-induced Rad51 focus formation and homologous recombination repair (HRR), ultimately leading to persistent radiation-induced DNA damage, as reflected by γ-H2AX expression. Finally, we identified CDC25C as a key PP2A substrate involved in LB100-mediated radiosensitization as depletion of CDC25C partially reversed LB100-mediated radiosensitization. In a mouse xenograft model of human pancreatic cancer, LB100 produced significant radiosensitization with minimal weight loss. Collectively, our data show that PP2A inhibition radiosensitizes pancreatic cancer both in vitro and in vivo via activation of CDC25C/CDK1 and inhibition of HRR, and provide proof-of-concept evidence that PP2A is a promising target for the improvement of local therapy in pancreatic cancer.

The novel ATR inhibitor VE-821 increases sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells to radiation and chemotherapy

DNA damaging agents such as radiotherapy and gemcitabine are frequently used for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. However, these treatments typically provide only modest benefit. Improving the low survival rate for pancreatic cancer patients therefore remains a major challenge in oncology. Inhibition of the key DNA damage response kinase ATR has been suggested as an attractive approach for sensitization of tumor cells to DNA damaging agents, but specific ATR inhibitors have remained elusive. Here we investigated the sensitization potential of the first highly selective and potent ATR inhibitor, VE-821, in vitro. VE-821 inhibited radiation- and gemcitabine-induced phosphorylation of Chk1, confirming inhibition of ATR signaling. Consistently, VE-821 significantly enhanced the sensitivity of PSN-1, MiaPaCa-2 and primary PancM pancreatic cancer cells to radiation and gemcitabine under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. ATR inhibition by VE-821 led to inhibition of radiation-induced G2/M arrest in cancer cells. Reduced cancer cell radiosurvival following treatment with VE-821 was also accompanied by increased DNA damage and inhibition of homologous recombination repair, as evidenced by persistence of γH2AX and 53BP1 foci and inhibition of Rad51 foci, respectively. These findings support ATR inhibition as a novel approach to improve the efficacy and therapeutic index of standard cancer treatments across a large proportion of pancreatic cancer patients.

Abstract 1459: Combined inhibition of Wee1 and PARP1 sensitizes pancreatic cancer cells to radiation

Abstract PARP1 [poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1] inhibitors are maximally effective in cells with HRR (homologous recombination repair) defects, a concept known as synthetic lethality. We have previously shown that inhibition of HRR and the G2 checkpoint by small molecule inhibitors of Chk1 (checkpoint kinase 1), can induce synthetic lethality by increasing PARP1 inhibitor-mediated radiosensitization selectively in tumor cells and preferentially in tumor cells with p53 mutations. In order to begin to determine whether other inhibitors of the DNA damage response might induce synthetic lethality in combination with PARP1 inhibition and radiation, we evaluated MK-1775, a Wee1 kinase inhibitor. Wee1 regulates the G2 checkpoint by phosphorylation of Cdk1, thus preventing entry into mitosis in the presence of DNA damage, while its influence on HRR is not clear. To determine whether inhibition of Wee1 might synergistically radiosensitize in combination with PARP1 inhibition, we treated pancreatic cancer cells with MK-1775 (100-200nM) and the PARP1 inhibitor, olaparib (1uM) and assessed radiosensitization by clonogenic survival. We found that the combination of MK-1775 with olaparib induced marked radiosensitization in MiaPaCa-2 (RER: 1.9) and AsPC-1 (RER: 1.7) pancreatic cancer cells, which was greater than the radiosensitization produced by either agent alone. In order to determine the mechanism(s) by which Wee1 and PARP1 inhibitors interact to produce radiosensitization, we investigated the G2 checkpoint as well as HRR. In response to radiation, MK-1775 abrogated the G2 checkpoint while olaparib treatment resulted in increased G2 accumulation which was associated with increased γH2AX, suggesting the presence of unrepaired DNA double strand breaks. Abrogation of the olaparib+radiation-mediated G2 checkpoint, by MK-1775 resulted in even greater DNA damage as assessed by γH2AX expression. Given the efficacy of PARP1 inhibitors in HRR defective cells, we also investigated the effect of MK-1775 on HRR. We found that MK-1775 inhibited homology-directed repair of an I-SceI endonuclease-induced DNA double strand break in MiaPaCa-2 cells (Control 5.2% versus MK-1775 3.3%, P&amp;lt;0.05) as well as impaired Rad51 focus formation in response to radiation. Taken together, these results suggest that inhibition of HRR and the G2 checkpoint by inhibition of Wee1 can induce synthetic lethality with PARP1 inhibitors in combination with radiation by increasing unrepaired DNA double strand breaks. These studies support the continued investigation of combined molecularly targeted agents such as Wee1 and PARP1 inhibitors with radiation, to induce synthetic lethality selectively in tumor cells. 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 1459. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1459

Selective radiosensitization of p53 mutant pancreatic cancer cells by combined inhibition of Chk1 and PARP1

We have recently shown that inhibition of HRR (homologous recombination repair) by Chk1 (checkpoint kinase 1) inhibition radiosensitizes pancreatic cancer cells and others have demonstrated that Chk1 inhibition selectively sensitizes p53 mutant tumor cells. Furthermore, PARP1 [poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1] inhibitors dramatically radiosensitize cells with DNA double strand break repair defects. Thus, we hypothesized that inhibition of HRR (mediated by Chk1 via AZD7762) and PARP1 [via olaparib (AZD2281)] would selectively sensitize p53 mutant pancreatic cancer cells to radiation. We also used 2 isogenic p53 cell models to assess the role of p53 status in cancer cells and intestinal epithelial cells to assess overall cancer specificity. DNA damage response and repair were assessed by flow cytometry, γH2AX, and an HRR reporter assay. We found that the combination of AZD7762 and olaparib produced significant radiosensitization in p53 mutant pancreatic cancer cells and in all of the isogenic cancer cell lines. The magnitude of radiosensitization by AZD7762 and olaparib was greater in p53 mutant cells compared with p53 wild type cells. Importantly, normal intestinal epithelial cells were not radiosensitized. The combination of AZD7762 and olaparib caused G2 checkpoint abrogation, inhibition of HRR, and persistent DNA damage responses. These findings demonstrate that the combination of Chk1 and PARP1 inhibition selectively radiosensitizes p53 mutant pancreatic cancer cells. Furthermore, these studies suggest that inhibition of HRR by Chk1 inhibitors may be a useful strategy for selectively inducing a BRCA1/2 ‘deficient-like’ phenotype in p53 mutant tumor cells, while sparing normal tissue.

Unrepairable DNA double-strand breaks initiate cytotoxicity with HSV-TK/ganciclovir

The herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) is the most widely used suicide gene in cancer gene therapy due to its superior anticancer activity with ganciclovir compared to other HSV-TK substrates, such as 1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl thymine (araT). We have evaluated the role of DNA damage as a mechanism for the superiority of GCV. Using γ-H2AX foci as an indicator of DNA damage, GCV induced ≥ 7-fold more foci than araT at similarly cytotoxic concentrations. The number of foci decreased after removal of either drug, followed by an increase in Rad51 foci indicating that homologous recombination repair (HRR) was used to repair this damage. Notably, only GCV produced a late and persistent increase in γ-H2AX foci demonstrating the induction of unrepairable DNA damage. Both drugs induced the ATR damage response pathway, as evidenced by Chk1 activation. However, GCV resulted in greater activation of ATM, which coincided with the late induction of γ-H2AX foci, demonstrating the presence of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). The increase in DSBs after Rad51 induction suggested that they occurred as a result of a failed attempt at HRR. These data demonstrate that the late and unrepairable DSBs observed uniquely with GCV account for its superior cytotoxicity and further suggest that inhibition of HRR will enhance cytotoxicity with HSV-TK/GCV.

Abstract 2657: Radiosensitization of pancreatic cancer cells by combined inhibition of Chk1 and PARP1 using AZD7762 and olaparib

Abstract Small molecule inhibitors targeted to key DNA damage response/repair proteins, such as Chk1 (checkpoint kinase 1) and PARP1 (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1) are being developed to sensitize tumor cells to chemo- and radio- therapy. We have recently shown that inhibition of HRR (homologous recombination repair) by the Chk1/2 inhibitor, AZD7762 (AstraZeneca) is a mechanism of radiosensitization in pancreatic cancer cells. Others have demonstrated that AZD7762 selectively sensitizes p53 mutant tumor cells. PARP inhibitors have demonstrated preferential efficacy as radiation sensitizers in cells with other DNA damage repair defects, including HRR. Thus, we hypothesized that inhibition of HRR (mediated by Chk1 via AZD7762) and PARP1 (via olaparib, AZD2281) would selectively sensitize p53 mutant pancreatic cancer cells to radiation. To test this hypothesis we assessed radiosensitization by clonogenic survival in two p53 mutant pancreatic cancer cell lines, MiaPaCa-2 and MPanc96. Cells were treated with AZD7762 (100nM) and/or olaparib (1uM) for 1 hour before radiation (0-8Gy), and for 23 hours after radiation, followed by processing for clonogenic survival. We verified that treatment with olaparib inhibited poly (ADP-ribose). We found that olaparib or AZD7762 alone produced similar magnitudes of radiosensitization in MiaPaCa-2 cells (1.5 ± 0.1 and 1.5 ± 0.01, respectively). However, the combination of olaparib and AZD7762 produced significantly greater radiosensitization than either agent alone (2.4 ± 0.1, P&amp;lt;0.05), which appeared to be greater than additive. Similarly, in a second cell line, MPanc96, the combination of olaparib and AZD7762 produced significantly greater radiosensitization (3.0 ± 0.4, P&amp;lt;0.05) than either olaparib (1.5 ± 0.1) or AZD7782 alone (2.0 ± 0.1). The combination of olaparib with AZD7762 produced minimal toxicity with clonogenic surviving fractions in MiaPaCa-2 cells of 1.1 ± 0.1 (olaparib), 0.8 ± 0.1 (AZD7762), and 0.7 ± 0.1 (olaparib + AZD7762) and in MPanc96 cells of &amp;gt;1.0 ± 0.2 (olaparib), 0.5 ± 0.1 (AZD7762), and 0.6 ± 0.2 (olaparib + AZD7762). Radiosensitization by olaparib and AZD7762 was accompanied by an increase in γH2AX and S345 Chk1 suggesting that DNA damage was increased under these conditions. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the combination of olaparib and AZD7762 induces profound radiosensitization of p53 mutant pancreatic cancer cell lines. Furthermore, these studies suggest that inhibition of HRR by Chk1 inhibitors may be a useful strategy for selectively inducing a BRAC1/2 deficient-like phenotype in p53 mutant tumor cells, thus resulting in synergistic radiosensitization when used in combination with PARP1 inhibition. Supported by R01CA78554. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2657. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2657

Mechanism of Radiosensitization by the Chk1/2 Inhibitor AZD7762 Involves Abrogation of the G2 Checkpoint and Inhibition of Homologous Recombinational DNA Repair

The median survival for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer treated with gemcitabine and radiation is approximately 1 year. To develop improved treatment, we have combined a Chk1/2-targeted agent, AZD7762, currently in phase I clinical trials, with gemcitabine and ionizing radiation in preclinical pancreatic tumor models. We found that in vitro AZD7762 alone or in combination with gemcitabine significantly sensitized MiaPaCa-2 cells to radiation. AZD7762 inhibited Chk1 autophosphorylation (S296 Chk1), stabilized Cdc25A, and increased ATR/ATM-mediated Chk1 phosphorylation (S345 Chk1). Radiosensitization by AZD7762 was associated with abrogation of the G(2) checkpoint as well as with inhibition of Rad51 focus formation, inhibition of homologous recombination repair, and persistent gamma-H2AX expression. AZD7762 was also a radiation sensitizer in multiple tumor xenograft models. In both MiaPaCa-2- and patient-derived xenografts, AZD7762 significantly prolonged the median time required for tumor volume doubling in response to gemcitabine and radiation. Together, our findings suggest that G(2) checkpoint abrogation and homologous recombination repair inhibition both contribute to sensitization by Chk1 inhibition. Furthermore, they support the clinical use of AZD7762 in combination with gemcitabine and radiation for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Abstract 491: The roles of homologous recombination repair and cell cycle checkpoints in radiosensitization by the Chk1/2 inhibitor, AZD7762

Abstract The combination of gemcitabine and radiation is superior to gemcitabine alone for locally advanced pancreatic cancer however the median survival is only approximately one year. We have previously demonstrated that inhibition of Chk1 (checkpoint kinase 1) sensitizes pancreatic cancer cell lines, as well as patient-derived tumor xenografts, to both radiation and gemcitabine-radiation. The exact mechanism(s) for this sensitization, however, remains unclear. Based on the abilities of Chk1 to induce cell cycle arrest and promote HRR (homologous recombination repair) in response to DNA damage, we set out to determine the relevance of these mechanisms to radiosensitization by AZD7762, an AstraZenca Chk1/2 inhibitor currently in Phase I clinical trials. We tested the effects of AZD7762 on survival, cell cycle checkpoints, Rad51 focus formation and HRR activity in response to radiation and gemcitabine-radiation in two pancreatic cancer cell lines, Panc-1 and MiaPaCa-2. We began this study with the observation that AZD7762 sensitized MiaPaCa-2 cells to radiation and gemcitabine-radiation with enhancement ratios of 1.5 ± 0.08 (AZD7762), 1.2 ± 0.07 (50 nM gemcitabine), and 1.9 ± 0.16 (AZD7762 + 50 nM gemcitabine) but did not sensitize Panc-1 cells where enhancement ratios were 1.0 ± 0.03 (AZD7762), 1.5 ± 0.11 (100 nM gemcitabine), and 1.4 ± 0.05 (AZD7762 + 100 nM gemcitabine). AZD7762 inhibited Chk1 in both cell lines as evidenced by accumulation of Cdc25A and abrogation of the radiation-induced G2 arrest. To begin to determine the contribution of HRR to radiosensitization by AZD7762, we utilized a DR-GFP reporter assay which measures homology directed repair of an I-SceI endonuclease-induced DNA double strand break in an integrated GFP reporter gene in MiaPaCa-2 and Panc-1 cells. Treatment of cells expressing the DR-GFP reporter with 100 nM AZD7762 produced a 2- to 3-fold (P&amp;lt;0.05) inhibition of HRR activity in MiaPaCa-2 cells but minimal to no inhibition in Panc-1 cells. Inhibition of HRR by AZD7762 was accompanied by a reduction in the number of MiaPaCa-2 cells which stained positive for Rad51 foci in response to radiation (32 ± 3% versus 9 ± 3%; P&amp;lt;0.05). Taken together these results suggest that inhibition of HRR may play a role in the mechanism(s) of radiosensitization by Chk1 inhibition. It will be important in future studies to further decipher the contributions of cell cycle checkpoint abrogation and HRR inhibition to the mechanisms of radiosensitization by Chk1 inhibitors. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 491.

Roles of Human AND-1 in Chromosome Transactions in S Phase

Coordinated execution of DNA replication, checkpoint activation, and postreplicative chromatid cohesion is intimately related to the replication fork machinery. Human AND-1/chromosome transmission fidelity 4 is localized adjacent to replication foci and is required for efficient DNA synthesis. In S phase, AND-1 is phosphorylated in response to replication arrest in a manner dependent on checkpoint kinase, ataxia telangiectasia-mutated, ataxia telangiectasia-mutated and Rad3-related protein, and Cdc7 kinase but not on Chk1. Depletion of AND-1 increases DNA damage, delays progression of S phase, leads to accumulation of late S and/or G2 phase cells, and induces cell death in cancer cells. It also elevated UV-radioresistant DNA synthesis and caused premature recovery of replication after hydroxyurea arrest, indicating that lack of AND-1 compromises checkpoint activation. This may be partly due to the decreased levels of Chk1 protein in AND-1-depleted cells. Furthermore, AND-1 interacts with cohesin proteins Smc1, Smc3, and Rad21/Scc1, consistent with proposed roles of yeast counterparts of AND-1 in sister chromatid cohesion. Depletion of AND-1 leads to significant inhibition of homologous recombination repair of an I-SceI-driven double strand break. Based on these data, we propose that AND-1 coordinates multiple cellular events in S phase and G2 phase, such as DNA replication, checkpoint activation, sister chromatid cohesion, and DNA damage repair, thus playing a pivotal role in maintenance of genome integrity.

Inhibition of homologous recombination repair in irradiated tumor cells pretreated with Hsp90 inhibitor 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin

In order to investigate the mechanism of radio-sensitization by an Hsp90 inhibitor 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), we studied repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) in irradiated human cells pre-treated with 17-AAG. DSBs are thought to be the critical target for radiation-induced cell death. Two human tumor cell lines DU145 and SQ-5 which showed clear radio-sensitization by 17-AAG revealed a significant inhibition of DSB repair, while normal human cells which did not show radio-sensitization by the drug indicated no change in the DSB repair kinetics with 17-AAG. We further demonstrated that BRCA2 was a novel client protein for Hsp90, and 17-AAG caused the degradation of BRCA2 and in turn altered the behavior of Rad51, a critical protein for homologous recombination (HR) pathway of DSB repair. Our data demonstrate for the first time that 17-AAG inhibits the HR repair process and could provide a new therapeutic strategy to selectively result in higher tumor cell killing.

Inhibition of homologous recombination repair with Pentoxifylline targets G2 cells generated by radiotherapy and induces major enhancements of the toxicity of cisplatin and melphalan given after irradiation

The presentation reviews the modus operandi of the dose modifying drug Pentoxifylline and the dose enhancement factors which can be achieved in different cell types. Preclinical and clinical data show that Pentoxifylline improves the oxygenation of hypoxic tumours and enhances tumour control by irradiation. In vitro experiments demonstrate that Pentoxifylline also operates when oxygen is not limiting and produces dose modifying factors in the region of 1.2 – 2.0. This oxygen independent effect is poorly understood. In p53 mutant cells irradiation induces a G2 block which is abrogated by Pentoxifylline. The enhancement of cell kill observed when Pentoxifylline and irradiation are given together could arise from rapid entry of damaged tumour cells into mitosis and propagation of DNA lesions as the result of curtailment of repair time. Recovery ratios and repair experiments using CFGE after high dose irradiation demonstrate that Pentoxifylline inhibits repair directly and that curtailment of repair time is not the explanation. Use of the repair defective xrs1 and the parental repair competent CHO-K1 cell line shows that Pentoxifylline inhibits homologous recombination repair which operates predominantly in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. When irradiated cells residing in G2 phase are exposed to very low doses of cisplatin at a toxic dose of 5 %. (TC: 0.05) massive toxicity enhancements up to a factor of 80 are observed in melanoma, squamous carcinoma and prostate tumour cell lines. Enhancements of radiotoxicity seen when Pentoxifylline and radiation are applied together are small and do not exceed a factor of 2.0. The capacity of Pentoxifyline to inhibit homologous recombination repair has not as yet been clinically utilized. A suitable application could be in the treatment of cervical carcinoma where irradiation and cisplatin are standard modality. In vitro data also strongly suggest that regimes where irradiation is used in combination with alkylating drugs may also benefit.