Inhibition of Translesion DNA Synthesis as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy to Treat Brain Cancer

Abstract

Temozolomide is a DNA-alkylating agent used to treat brain tumors, but resistance to this drug is common. In this study, we provide evidence that efficacious responses to this drug can be heightened significantly by coadministration of an artificial nucleoside (5-nitroindolyl-2′-deoxyriboside, 5-NIdR) that efficiently and selectively inhibits the replication of DNA lesions generated by temozolomide. Conversion of this compound to the corresponding nucleoside triphosphate, 5-nitroindolyl-2′-deoxyriboside triphosphate, in vivo creates a potent inhibitor of several human DNA polymerases that can replicate damaged DNA. Accordingly, 5-NIdR synergized with temozolomide to increase apoptosis of tumor cells. In a murine xenograft model of glioblastoma, whereas temozolomide only delayed tumor growth, its coadministration with 5-NIdR caused complete tumor regression. Exploratory toxicology investigations showed that high doses of 5-NIdR did not produce the side effects commonly seen with conventional nucleoside analogs. Collectively, our results offer a preclinical pharmacologic proof of concept for the coordinate inhibition of translesion DNA synthesis as a strategy to improve chemotherapeutic responses in aggressive brain tumors.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Feb 14, 2018
Source ID
10.1158/0008-5472.can-17-2464

Entities

People

  • Anthony Berdis
  • Casey Seol Kim
  • Jung-suk Choi

Organizations

  • Cleveland State University
  • United States Department of Defense

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Chemistry

Readers

  • Oncology
  • Oncology (Cancer Research).
  • Parasitology and Pharmacology of Malaria.