title: Sym004, a novel anti-EGFR antibody mixture, augments radiation response in human lung and head and neck cancers.
abstract: Sym004 represents a novel EGF receptor (EGFR)-targeting approach comprising a mixture of two anti-EGFR antibodies directed against distinct epitopes of EGFR. In contrast with single anti-EGFR antibodies, Sym004 induces rapid and highly efficient degradation of EGFR. In the current study, we examine the capacity of Sym004 to augment radiation response in lung cancer and head and neck cancer model systems. We first examined the antiproliferative effect of Sym004 and confirmed 40% to 60% growth inhibition by Sym004. Using clonogenic survival analysis, we identified that Sym004 potently increased cell kill by up to 10-fold following radiation exposure. A significant increase of γH2AX foci resulting from DNA double-strand breaks was observed in Sym004-treated cells following exposure to radiation. Mechanistic studies further showed that Sym004 enhanced radiation response via induction of cell-cycle arrest followed by induction of apoptosis and cell death, reflecting inhibitory effects on DNA damage repair. The expression of several critical molecules involved in radiation-induced DNA damage repair was significantly inhibited by Sym004, including DNAPK, NBS1, RAD50, and BRCA1. Using single and fractionated radiation in human tumor xenograft models, we confirmed that the combination of Sym004 and radiation resulted in significant tumor regrowth delay and superior antitumor effects compared with treatment with Sym004 or radiation alone. Taken together, these data reveal the strong capacity of Sym004 to augment radiation response in lung and head and neck cancers. The unique action mechanism of Sym004 warrants further investigation as a promising EGFR targeting agent combined with radiotherapy in cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Corresponding Author: Paul M. Harari, Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center, K4/336, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792-0600. harari@humonc.wisc.edu.
authors.forename: Shyhmin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Chimera R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Peet
authors.forename: Jarob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saker
authors.forename: Chunrong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Eric A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kragh
authors.forename: Mikkel W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Harari
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000528:radiation effects; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004249:DNA Damage; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D051379:Mice; D059748:Proteolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D011836:Radiation Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C569270:futuximab; D066246:ErbB Receptors