Copper Chelation Inhibits BRAFV600E-Driven Melanomagenesis and Counters Resistance to BRAFV600E and MEK1/2 Inhibitors.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
MEK1/2 and BRAFV600E inhibitors are used to treat BRAFV600E-positive melanoma, with other cancers under evaluation. Genetic perturbation of copper import or pharmacologic reduction of copper with the clinical copper chelator TTM inhibits MEK1/2 kinase activity and reduces BRAFV600E-driven tumorigenesis. In this study, we report that TTM inhibited transformed growth of melanoma cell lines resistant to BRAF or MEK1/2 inhibitors and enhanced the antineoplastic activity of these inhibitors. TTM also provided a survival advantage in a genetically engineered mouse model of melanoma, and when accounting for putative overdosing, trended toward an increase in the survival benefit afforded by BRAF inhibition. This effect was phenocopied by genetically inhibiting copper import in tumors, which was linked to a reduction in MAPK signaling. Thus, TTM reduces copper levels and MAPK signaling, thereby inhibiting BRAFV600E-driven melanoma tumor growth. These observations inform and support clinical evaluation of TTM in melanoma. Cancer Res; 77(22); 6240-52. ©2017 AACR.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Brady, DC; Crowe, MS; Greenberg, DN; Counter, CM
Published Date
- November 15, 2017
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 77 / 22
Start / End Page
- 6240 - 6252
PubMed ID
- 28986383
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC5690876
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1538-7445
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-16-1190
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States