RNAi Screen for Modulators of Topoisomerase I Poisons in Breast Cancer Cells
Combination therapy is an effective and promising approach toward the treatment of cancer. We are conducting large-scale RNAi screens for novel targets that synergize with topoisomerase I (Top1) inhibitors. Top1-targeted drugs (topotecan and irinotecan) represent an important class of drugs for the treatment of colorectal, ovarian, lung, and pediatric cancers. The Pommier laboratory (NCI) recently discovered a novel class of non-camptothecin Top1 inhibitors, the indenoisoquinolines. The indenoisoquinolines have overcome limitations of the camptothecins in preclinical models and are among the most advanced anticancer drugs in the non-camptothecin Top1 inhibitor class. Two indenoisoquinolines are in clinical trial at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD.
The aim of this project is to use a large-scale siRNA screen to uncover novel pathways that determine the efficacy of Top1 inhibitors. We are using the triple-negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB231 cells (previously validated as very effective for siRNA screen) and the clinically-relevant indenoisoquinoline Top1 inhibitor NSC 725776 (LMP-776) and NSC 724998 (LMP-400) for the high-throughput screen at NCGC. Hit validation is being performed using experiments in additional cell lines, and specificity is being determined by evaluating active genes in the context of non-TOP1 inhibitors (e.g., taxol and etoposide). These efforts will help discover new genomic biomarkers to predict the activity of Top1 inhibitors and personalize therapies in cancer patients. Identification of new pathways should also lead to the development of novel therapies using small molecules or biologicals for the treatment of cancers in combination with Top1 inhibitors.
Key Investigators
National Cancer Institute
Yves Pommier, Ph.D.
Natasha Caplen. Ph.D.
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
Scott Martin, Ph.D.
Public Health Impact
This study will reveal determinants of TOP1 poison efficacy, providing potential biomarkers for personalized medicine and identifying putative targets for combination therapies.
Publications
Martin SE, Wu ZH, Gehlhaus K, et al. RNAi Screening Identifies TAK1 as a Potential Target for the Enhanced Efficacy of Topoisomerase Inhibitors. Curr Cancer Drug Targets, 2011;11(8):976-986.
Zhang YW, Jones TL, Martin SE, Caplen NJ, Pommier Y. Implication of Checkpoint Kinase-Dependent Up-regulation of Ribonucleotide Reductase R2 in DNA Damage Response. J Biol Chem, 2009;284(27):18085-18095.
Outcomes
Among other pathways and targets, these efforts have identified TAK1 and other related genes as important regulators of Top1 poison-mediated apoptosis.
Project Details
Screening Protocol to Identify Determinants of TOP1 Poison Activity in Breast Cancer Cells
After optimization of transfection and assay conditions, a druggable genome siRNA library targeting H 7,000 human genes (4 siRNAs per gene) was screened both in the absence and presence of TOP1 poisons. Transfections were performed in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Knockdown was allowed to proceed for 48 hours before treatment with TOP1 poison for an additional 72 hours. Informatic analysis of this data identified more than 100 putative sensitizers. Rigorous follow-up resulted in the confirmation of numerous confident hits, including known DNA repair related genes such as ATR. Ongoing studies are being performed with validated targets in additional cell lines and in the context of non-TOP1 inhibitors (e.g., taxol and etoposide).
Follow-up dose response analysis with several siRNAs confirms that the down-regulation of ATR significantly enhances TOP1 poison activity in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.
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