Dual targeting of EphA2 and FAK in ovarian carcinoma

Mian M.K. Shahzad, Chunhua Lu, Jeong Won Lee, Rebecca L. Stone, Rahul Mitra, Lingegowda S. Mangala, Yiling Lu, Keith A. Baggerly, Christopher G. Danes, Alpa M. Nick, Jyotsnabaran Halder, Hye Sun Kim, Pablo Vivas-Mejia, Charles N. Landen, Gabriel Lopez-Berestein, Robert L. Coleman, Anil K. Sood

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

EphA2 gene silencing has been shown to result in antitumor efficacy. Here we considered whether silencing additional targets downstream of EphA2 would further enhance the therapeutic effect. EphA2 targeted siRNA was tested in combination with either FAK or Src targeted siRNA using DOPC nanoliposomes in orthotopic models of ovarian carcinoma. The effects of therapy were determined by changes in tumor weight, proliferation (Ki-67), and microvessel density (CD31). In our initial in vivo study, EphA2 plus FAK silencing resulted in the greatest reduction in tumor growth (by 73%, p < 0.005) as compared to control siRNA alone. In the SKOV3ip1 and HeyA8 ovarian cancer models, EphA2 siRNA-DOPC treatment resulted in a 50-67% decrease in tumor growth (p < 0.02, for both), and FAK siRNA-DOPC resulted in a 61-62% decrease in tumor growth (p < 0.009, p < 0.05, respectively). EphA2 plus FAK siRNA-DOPC treatment resulted in a significant reduction (SKOV3ip1: 76%, p < 0.007, HeyA8: 90%, p < 0.003) in tumor growth compared to control siRNA-DOPC. Combination treatment with EphA2 + FAK siRNA-DOPC resulted in significant decreases in tumor cell proliferation (p < 0.001) and microvessel density compared to control siRNA-DOPC (80%; p < 0.001), or the monotherapy groups (p values <0.001). These data suggest that the antitumor efficacy of in vivo EphA2 targeting is enhanced in combination with FAK silencing. Dual targeting of EphA2 and FAK may have therapeutic implications for ovarian cancer management.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1027-1034
Number of pages8
JournalCancer Biology and Therapy
Volume8
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • EphA2
  • FAK
  • Ovarian cancer
  • siRNA therapy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Cancer Research

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