Matrix screen identifies synergistic combination of PARP inhibitors and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) inhibitors in Ewing sarcoma

Christine M. Heske, Mindy I. Davis, Joshua T. Baumgart, Kelli Wilson, Michael V. Gormally, Lu Chen, Xiaohu Zhang, Michele Ceribelli, Damien Y. Duveau, Rajarshi Guha, Marc Ferrer, Fernanda I. Arnaldez, Jiuping Ji, Huong Lan Tran, Yiping Zhang, Arnulfo Mendoza, Lee J. Helman, Craig J. Thomas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Although many cancers are showing remarkable responses to targeted therapies, pediatric sarcomas, including Ewing sarcoma, remain recalcitrant. To broaden the therapeutic landscape, we explored the in vitro response of Ewing sarcoma cell lines against a large collection of investigational and approved drugs to identify candidate combinations. Experimental Design: Drugs displaying activity as single agents were evaluated in combinatorial (matrix) format to identify highly active, synergistic drug combinations, and combinations were subsequently validated in multiple cell lines using various agents from each class. Comprehensive metabolomic and proteomic profiling was performed to better understand the mechanism underlying the synergy. Xenograft experiments were performed to determine efficacy and in vivo mechanism. Results: Several promising candidates emerged, including the combination of small-molecule PARP and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) inhibitors, a rational combination as NAMPTis block the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a necessary substrate of PARP. Mechanistic drivers of the synergistic cell killing phenotype of these combined drugs included depletion of NMN and NAD+, diminished PAR activity, increased DNA damage, and apoptosis. Combination PARPis and NAMPTis in vivo resulted in tumor regression, delayed disease progression, and increased survival. Conclusions: These studies highlight the potential of these drugs as a possible therapeutic option in treating patients with Ewing sarcoma.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)7301-7311
Number of pages11
JournalClinical Cancer Research
Volume23
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2017

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine(all)

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