Chemotherapy-induced epidermal growth factor receptor activation determines response to combined gefitinib/chemotherapy treatment in non-small cell lung cancer cells.
Activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations have been linked with sensitivity to gefitinib and erlotinib; however, there are no established predictive markers for response to the combination of EGFR inhibitors with standard chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. In this study, we characterized a panel of human EGFR wild-type and mutant NSCLC cells for their sensitivity to gefitinib alone and in combination with cisplatin or Taxol. Cell viability was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and crystal violet cell viability assays. Cell cycle distribution was measured by flow cytometry. EGFR expression was measured by flow cytometry, real-time PCR, and Western blotting. EGFR/Her2/Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) phosphorylation were measured by Western blotting. Two of nine EGFR wild type and one of two EGFR mutant NSCLC cells were sensitive to gefitinib, and this was associated with a decrease in phospho (p)-Akt and pErk1/2 following gefitinib exposure. There was no correlation between constitutive EGFR expression or activity and sensitivity to gefitinib nor was there a correlation between Her2/Akt and Erk1/2 activity and gefitinib sensitivity. However, in cells displaying a synergistic interaction between gefitinib and chemotherapy (cisplatin or Taxol), a dose-dependent increase in pEGFR was observed following chemotherapy exposure. In contrast, in cells where no change or a decrease in pEGFR following drug treatment was observed, we found an antagonistic or (at best) an additive interaction between the two compounds. Furthermore, the nature of this interaction was not dependent on the presence of a mutant EGFR. These novel findings suggest that modulation of EGFR activity following drug treatment determines response to gefitinib in combination with chemotherapy in NSCLC cells.
Van Schaeybroeck
Sandra
S
Department of Oncology, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, University Floor, Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7AB, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. oncology@qub.ac.uk.
Kyula
Joan
J
Kelly
Donal M
DM
Karaiskou-McCaul
Anthi
A
Stokesberry
Susan A
SA
Van Cutsem
Eric
E
Longley
Daniel B
DB
Johnston
Patrick G
PG
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000077156:Gefitinib; D018734:Genes, erbB-2 / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D010766:Phosphorylation; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011799:Quinazolines; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin; D000077156:Gefitinib