title: Nilotinib alone or in combination with selumetinib is a drug candidate for neurofibromatosis type 2.
abstract: Loss of the tumor suppressor merlin is a cause of frequent tumors of the nervous system, such as schwannomas, meningiomas, and ependymomas, which occur spontaneously or as part of neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). Because there is medical need for drug therapies for these tumors, our aim is to find therapeutic targets. We have studied the pathobiology of schwannomas, because they are the most common merlin-deficient tumors and are a model for all merlin-deficient tumors. With use of a human schwannoma in vitro model, we previously described strong overexpression/activation of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β) leading to strong, long-lasting activation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and AKT and increased schwannoma growth, which we successfully inhibited using the PDGFR/Raf inhibitor sorafenib. However, the benign character of schwannomas may require long-term treatment; thus, drug tolerability is an issue. With the use of Western blotting, proliferation assays, viability assays, and a primary human schwannoma cell in vitro model, we tested the PDGFR/c-KIT inhibitors imatinib (Glivec(;) Novartis) and nilotinib (Tasigna(;) Novartis). Imatinib and nilotinib inhibited PDGF-DD-mediated ERK1/2 activation, basal and PDGF-DD-mediated activation of PDGFR-β and AKT, and schwannoma proliferation. Nilotinib is more potent than imatinib, exerting its maximal inhibitory effect at concentrations lower than steady-state trough plasma levels. In addition, nilotinib combined with the MEK1/2 inhibitor selumetinib (AZD6244) at low concentrations displayed stronger efficiency toward tumor growth inhibition, compared with nilotinib alone. We suggest that therapy with nilotinib or combinational therapy that  simultaneously inhibits PDGFR and the downstream Raf/MEK1/2/ERK1/2 pathway could represent an effective treatment for schwannomas and other merlin-deficient tumors.
authors: Clinical Neurobiology, Peninsula College for Medicine and Dentistry, The John Bull Building, Tamar Science Park, Research Way, Plymouth PL6 8BU, United Kingdom.
authors: Sylwia
authors: S
authors: Ammoun
authors: Marei Caroline
authors: MC
authors: Schmid
authors: Joceline
authors: J
authors: Triner
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Manley
authors: Clemens Oliver
authors: CO
authors: Hanemann
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001549:Benzamides; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D015151:Immunoblotting; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D016518:Neurofibromatosis 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D025581:Neurofibromin 2 / Q000172:deficiency; D010766:Phosphorylation; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017479:Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: C517975:AZD 6244; D001549:Benzamides; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D025581:Neurofibromin 2; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D017479:Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; C498826:nilotinib