Mdm2 and Aurora A inhibitors synergize to block melanoma growth by driving apoptosis and immune clearance of tumor cells.
By: Anna E Vilgelm, Jeff S Pawlikowski, Yan Liu, Oriana E Hawkins, Tyler A Davis, Jessica Smith, Kevin P Weller, Linda W Horton, Colt M McClain, Gregory D Ayers, David C Turner, David C Essaka, Clinton F Stewart, Jeffrey A Sosman, Mark C Kelley, Jeffrey A Ecsedy, Jeffrey N Johnston, Ann Richmond

Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
2014-11-16; doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-14-2405
Abstract

Therapeutics that induce cancer cell senescence can block cell proliferation and promote immune rejection. However, the risk of tumor relapse due to senescence escape may remain high due to the long lifespan of senescent cells that are not cleared. Here we show how combining a senescence-inducing inhibitor of the mitotic kinase Aurora A (AURKA) with an MDM2 antagonist activates p53 in senescent tumors harboring wildtype 53. In the model studied, this effect is accompanied proliferation arrest, mitochondrial depolarization, apoptosis and immune clearance of cancer cells by antitumor leukocytes in a manner reliant upon CCL5, CCL1 and CXCL9. The AURKA/MDM2 combination therapy shows adequate bioavailability and low toxicity to the host. Moreover, the prominent response of patient-derived melanoma tumors to co-administered MDM2 and AURKA inhibitors offers a sound rationale for clinical evaluation. Taken together, our work provides a preclinical proof-of-concept for a combination treatment which leverages both senescence and immune surveillance to therapeutic ends.



Copyright © 2014, American Association for Cancer Research.

PMID:25398437






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