A synergistic interaction between lapatinib and chemotherapy agents in a panel of cell lines is due to the inhibition of the efflux pump BCRP.

Abstract

Lapatinib is a specific HER1 and 2 targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor now widely used in combination with chemotherapy in the clinical setting. In this work, we investigated the interactions between lapatinib and specific chemotherapy agents (cisplatin, SN-38, topotecan) in a panel of cell lines [breast (n = 2), lung (n = 2), testis (n = 4)]. A high-sensitivity cell proliferation/cytotoxicity ATP assay and flow cytometry were used to determine cell viability, apoptosis, and the effect of the drugs on cell-cycle distribution. CalcuSyn analysis was employed to formally identify synergistic interactions between drugs. Intracellular concentrations of SN-38 were measured using a novel high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. Flow cytometry and HPLC techniques were used to identify the effect of lapatinib on drug influx and efflux pumps, using specific substrates and inhibitors of these pumps. Results showed significant synergy between SN-38, and lapatinib in the majority of cell lines (combination index < 0.75), associated with increased apoptosis. This synergy was not universal but, when observed (Susa S/R, H1975, H358, and MDA-MB-231 cell lines), was related to SN-38 intracellular accumulation (2.2- to 4.8-fold increase, P < 0.05 for each), attributable to the inhibition of the breast cancer-related protein (BCRP) efflux pump by lapatinib. Flow cytometry analysis showed that lapatinib (10 μmol/L) inhibited the efflux of mitoxantrone, a specific substrate of the BCRP pump, in a manner similar to fumitremorgin C, a known BCRP inhibitor, confirming lapatinib as a BCRP inhibitor. This work shows that lapatinib has a direct inhibitory effect on BCRP accounting for the synergistic findings. The synergy is cell line dependent and related to the activity of specific efflux pumps.

• Authors: Jackie Perry, Essam Ghazaly, Christiana Kitromilidou, Eva H McGrowder, Simon Joel, Thomas Powles
• Journal: Molecular cancer therapeutics (Mol Cancer Ther) Vol. 9 Issue 12 Pg. 3322-9 (Dec 2010) ISSN: 1538-8514 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20889729 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: ©2010 AACR.

Chemical References

• ABCG2 protein, human
• ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2
• ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Indazoles
• Neoplasm Proteins
• Protein Kinase Inhibitors
• Pyrimidines
• Quinazolines
• Sulfonamides
• Lapatinib
• pazopanib
• Cisplatin

Topics

• ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2
• ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism)
• Antineoplastic Agents (pharmacology)
• Cell Cycle (drug effects)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
• Cisplatin (pharmacology)
• Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
• Drug Synergism
• Flow Cytometry
• Humans
• Indazoles
• Intracellular Space (drug effects, metabolism)
• Lapatinib
• Neoplasm Proteins (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism)
• Protein Kinase Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Pyrimidines (pharmacology)
• Quinazolines (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Sulfonamides (pharmacology)