Rôle du récepteur des xénobiotiques PXR (Pregnane X Receptor) et de ses gènes cibles sur la sensibilité des lignées de cancer de prostate aux inhibiteurs de kinases

More and more kinase inhibitors (KIs) are tested in prostate cancer that represents a major health issue in men with its incidence and mortality rates. Clinical trials to evaluate KIs efficacy in prostate cancer gave disapointing results depsite the presence of KIs pharmacological targets in prostate tumors (VEGF, EGFR, CMET..), suggesting that inefficiency of these drugs would be at least in part linked to the inhibitor itself or its pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics parameters. Indeed KIs are metabolized and transported via phase I and II enzymes that are mainly controlled by the xenoreceptor PXR (Pregnane X Receptor, gène NR1I2). It is mainly expressed in liver and gastro-intestinal tract but also in epithelial tumors. PXR is also involved in the resistance to chemotherapies by increasing the catabolism and the efflux of these anticancer agents. To date only one study evaluated PXR expression in prostate cancer without evaluating its impact on treatment efficacy. In collaboration with Pr G. Fromont we analyzed a cohort of 449 prostate tumors and observed that PXR was more frequently detected in castration resistant or metastatic tumors as compared to clinically localized forms in which PXR expression was significantly correlated with TNM and ISUP Score. These results confirmed the interest to study the potential role of PXR and its target genes in the sensitivity to kinase inhibitors in prostate cancer models.We measured the expression of PXR and its target genes in prostate cancer cell lines 22RV1, LnCap, PC3 and DU145. The results showed that enzymes and transporters involved in KI detoxification was significantly expressed in these cells whereasPXR was poorly expressed due to hypermethylation of NR1I2 in our cells. This lead us to develop specific prostate cancer cell models stably overexpressing PXR in which transcriptional activity of PXR can be induced by its known agonist SR12813 further indicating that prostate cancer cells are metabolically competent. Using these models we showed that PXR overexpression modulates the sensitivity of 22RV1 cells to erlotinib, dasatinib, dabrafenib and afatinib, demonstrating that PXR plays a functional role in the sensitivity to KIs. We also demonstrated that several KIs were PXR agonists, including dabrafenib that displayed enhanced agonistic properties as compared to SR12813, a result that was never published before. This original finding led us to engage the cristalization of PXR/dabrafenib complex and to test whether induction of PXR could lead to an alteration of metabolism and transport of other drugs that are co-administered. In this line we have observed that in 22RV1 cells the additive effect of the combination of dabrafenib with trametinib that is already approved in the treatment of melanomas, became antagonistic when PXR was overexpressed in these cells. This result is supporting our hypothesis though we still need to demonstrate that this effect is linked to a change in drugs metabolism, which is currently under investigation by the measurement of the known metabolites of these KIs.Altogether, our data could serve as rational basis for the choice of kinase inhibitors or their potential combinations that could be tested in further clinical trials alone or in association with hormone therapies or with chemotherapies that are currently prescribed in the treatment of advanced prostate cancers, in order to potentiate tumor response.De plus en plus d’inhibiteurs de kinase (IKs) sont testés dans le cancer de la prostate qui représente chez l’homme un enjeu de santé publique majeur de par son incidence (1er cancer) et sa mortalité (4ème cancer). Les essais cliniques pour évaluer l'efficacité des IKs dans cette indication ont donné des résultats mitigés malgré la présence de leurs cibles pharmacologiques dans les tumeurs de prostate (VEGF, EGFR, CMET..), pouvant faire penser que l’inefficacité serait en partie liée à la molécule elle-même et à sa pharmacocinétique/pharmacodynamie. En effet, les IKs sont sujets à un métabolisme et un transport intense via des enzymes de phase I et II et des transporteurs contrôlés pour la majorité par le récepteur nucléaire PXR (Pregnane X Receptor, gène NR1I2). En plus d’être abondamment exprimé dans le foie et le long du tractus gastro-intestinal, PXR est également exprimé dans certaines tumeurs épithéliales et pourrait être impliqué dans la résistance aux chimiothérapies par augmentation du catabolisme et de l’efflux de ces agents anticancéreux. A ce jour une seule étude a révélé l’expression de PXR dans le cancer de la prostate sans en avoir évalué l’impact sur la réponse aux traitements utilisés dans cette indication. En collaboration avec le Pr G. Fromont, nous avons observé dans une cohorte de 449 patients que l’expression de PXR était plus fréquemment retrouvée dans les cancers résistants à la castration et les métastases, par rapport aux cancers cliniquement localisés dans lesquels l’expression de PXR était corrélée avec le stade TNM et le score ISUP. Ces résultats confirment donc l’intérêt d’étudier le rôle que peut jouer PXR et les gènes du métabolisme et du transport qu’il régule, dans la sensibilité aux IKs dans les cancers de la prostate.Nous avons mesuré l’expression de PXR et de ses gènes cibles dans les lignées de cancer de la prostate 22RV1, LnCap, PC3 et DU145. Les résultats montrent une expression significative des enzymes et transporteurs responsables de la détoxication des IKs mais une faible expression de PXR liée à des phénomènes d’hyperméthylation NR1I2 dans nos lignées Cela nous a conduit à établir des modèles de surexpression stable de PXR dans lesquels l’agoniste SR12813 est capable d’induire l’activité transcriptionnelle de ce xénorécepteur, indiquant la compétence métabolique de ces lignées. À l'aide de ces modèles, nous avons démontré que la surexpression de PXR module la réponse à l’erlotinib, le dasatinib, le dabrafénib et l’afatinib démontrant que PXR joue un rôle fonctionnel dans la sensibilité à ces IKs. Nous avons également démontré que certains inhibiteurs avaient des propriétés agonistes de PXR, notamment le dabrafénib qui montre un effet agoniste plus marqué que le composé de référence SR12813, ce qui n’a jamais été démontré. Cette découverte originale nous a conduit à engager une collaboration pour tenter de cristalliser le complexe PXR/dabrafénib et à tester l’hypothèse que l’induction de l’activité PXR pouvait entraîner une modification du métabolisme et/ou du transport d’autres médicaments co-administrés. Or, nous avons observé dans la lignée 22RV1 un effet additif entre le dabrafénib et le tramétinib, une combinaison approuvée dans le traitement du mélanome, qui devient antagoniste lorsque PXR est surexprimé, résultat qui va effectivement dans le sens de notre hypothèse même s’il reste à démontrer que cet effet est bien lié à une altération du métabolisme de ces IKs, ce que nous sommes en train d’évaluer en dosant les métabolites de ces IKs. L’ensemble de nos données pourraient servir de rationnel biologique dans le choix des IKs ou de leurs combinaisons à tester avec les hormonothérapies et chimiothérapies déjà utilisés dans le traitement du cancer de la prostate, afin de potentialiser la réponse tumorale

Role of the xenobiotic receptor PXR (Pregnane X Receptor) and its target genes on the sensitivity of prostate cancer lines to Kinase Inhibitors

De plus en plus d’inhibiteurs de kinase (IKs) sont testés dans le cancer de la prostate qui représente chez l’homme un enjeu de santé publique majeur de par son incidence (1er cancer) et sa mortalité (4ème cancer). Les essais cliniques pour évaluer l'efficacité des IKs dans cette indication ont donné des résultats mitigés malgré la présence de leurs cibles pharmacologiques dans les tumeurs de prostate (VEGF, EGFR, CMET..), pouvant faire penser que l’inefficacité serait en partie liée à la molécule elle-même et à sa pharmacocinétique/pharmacodynamie. En effet, les IKs sont sujets à un métabolisme et un transport intense via des enzymes de phase I et II et des transporteurs contrôlés pour la majorité par le récepteur nucléaire PXR (Pregnane X Receptor, gène NR1I2). En plus d’être abondamment exprimé dans le foie et le long du tractus gastro-intestinal, PXR est également exprimé dans certaines tumeurs épithéliales et pourrait être impliqué dans la résistance aux chimiothérapies par augmentation du catabolisme et de l’efflux de ces agents anticancéreux. A ce jour une seule étude a révélé l’expression de PXR dans le cancer de la prostate sans en avoir évalué l’impact sur la réponse aux traitements utilisés dans cette indication. En collaboration avec le Pr G. Fromont, nous avons observé dans une cohorte de 449 patients que l’expression de PXR était plus fréquemment retrouvée dans les cancers résistants à la castration et les métastases, par rapport aux cancers cliniquement localisés dans lesquels l’expression de PXR était corrélée avec le stade TNM et le score ISUP. Ces résultats confirment donc l’intérêt d’étudier le rôle que peut jouer PXR et les gènes du métabolisme et du transport qu’il régule, dans la sensibilité aux IKs dans les cancers de la prostate.Nous avons mesuré l’expression de PXR et de ses gènes cibles dans les lignées de cancer de la prostate 22RV1, LnCap, PC3 et DU145. Les résultats montrent une expression significative des enzymes et transporteurs responsables de la détoxication des IKs mais une faible expression de PXR liée à des phénomènes d’hyperméthylation NR1I2 dans nos lignées Cela nous a conduit à établir des modèles de surexpression stable de PXR dans lesquels l’agoniste SR12813 est capable d’induire l’activité transcriptionnelle de ce xénorécepteur, indiquant la compétence métabolique de ces lignées. À l'aide de ces modèles, nous avons démontré que la surexpression de PXR module la réponse à l’erlotinib, le dasatinib, le dabrafénib et l’afatinib démontrant que PXR joue un rôle fonctionnel dans la sensibilité à ces IKs. Nous avons également démontré que certains inhibiteurs avaient des propriétés agonistes de PXR, notamment le dabrafénib qui montre un effet agoniste plus marqué que le composé de référence SR12813, ce qui n’a jamais été démontré. Cette découverte originale nous a conduit à engager une collaboration pour tenter de cristalliser le complexe PXR/dabrafénib et à tester l’hypothèse que l’induction de l’activité PXR pouvait entraîner une modification du métabolisme et/ou du transport d’autres médicaments co-administrés. Or, nous avons observé dans la lignée 22RV1 un effet additif entre le dabrafénib et le tramétinib, une combinaison approuvée dans le traitement du mélanome, qui devient antagoniste lorsque PXR est surexprimé, résultat qui va effectivement dans le sens de notre hypothèse même s’il reste à démontrer que cet effet est bien lié à une altération du métabolisme de ces IKs, ce que nous sommes en train d’évaluer en dosant les métabolites de ces IKs. L’ensemble de nos données pourraient servir de rationnel biologique dans le choix des IKs ou de leurs combinaisons à tester avec les hormonothérapies et chimiothérapies déjà utilisés dans le traitement du cancer de la prostate, afin de potentialiser la réponse tumorale.More and more kinase inhibitors (KIs) are tested in prostate cancer that represents a major health issue in men with its incidence and mortality rates. Clinical trials to evaluate KIs efficacy in prostate cancer gave disapointing results depsite the presence of KIs pharmacological targets in prostate tumors (VEGF, EGFR, CMET..), suggesting that inefficiency of these drugs would be at least in part linked to the inhibitor itself or its pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics parameters. Indeed KIs are metabolized and transported via phase I and II enzymes that are mainly controlled by the xenoreceptor PXR (Pregnane X Receptor, gène NR1I2). It is mainly expressed in liver and gastro-intestinal tract but also in epithelial tumors. PXR is also involved in the resistance to chemotherapies by increasing the catabolism and the efflux of these anticancer agents. To date only one study evaluated PXR expression in prostate cancer without evaluating its impact on treatment efficacy. In collaboration with Pr G. Fromont we analyzed a cohort of 449 prostate tumors and observed that PXR was more frequently detected in castration resistant or metastatic tumors as compared to clinically localized forms in which PXR expression was significantly correlated with TNM and ISUP Score. These results confirmed the interest to study the potential role of PXR and its target genes in the sensitivity to kinase inhibitors in prostate cancer models.We measured the expression of PXR and its target genes in prostate cancer cell lines 22RV1, LnCap, PC3 and DU145. The results showed that enzymes and transporters involved in KI detoxification was significantly expressed in these cells whereasPXR was poorly expressed due to hypermethylation of NR1I2 in our cells. This lead us to develop specific prostate cancer cell models stably overexpressing PXR in which transcriptional activity of PXR can be induced by its known agonist SR12813 further indicating that prostate cancer cells are metabolically competent. Using these models we showed that PXR overexpression modulates the sensitivity of 22RV1 cells to erlotinib, dasatinib, dabrafenib and afatinib, demonstrating that PXR plays a functional role in the sensitivity to KIs. We also demonstrated that several KIs were PXR agonists, including dabrafenib that displayed enhanced agonistic properties as compared to SR12813, a result that was never published before. This original finding led us to engage the cristalization of PXR/dabrafenib complex and to test whether induction of PXR could lead to an alteration of metabolism and transport of other drugs that are co-administered. In this line we have observed that in 22RV1 cells the additive effect of the combination of dabrafenib with trametinib that is already approved in the treatment of melanomas, became antagonistic when PXR was overexpressed in these cells. This result is supporting our hypothesis though we still need to demonstrate that this effect is linked to a change in drugs metabolism, which is currently under investigation by the measurement of the known metabolites of these KIs.Altogether, our data could serve as rational basis for the choice of kinase inhibitors or their potential combinations that could be tested in further clinical trials alone or in association with hormone therapies or with chemotherapies that are currently prescribed in the treatment of advanced prostate cancers, in order to potentiate tumor response

Rôle du récepteur des xénobiotiques PXR (Pregnane X Receptor) et de ses gènes cibles sur la sensibilité des lignées de cancer de prostate aux inhibiteurs de kinases

More and more kinase inhibitors (KIs) are tested in prostate cancer that represents a major health issue in men with its incidence and mortality rates. Clinical trials to evaluate KIs efficacy in prostate cancer gave disapointing results depsite the presence of KIs pharmacological targets in prostate tumors (VEGF, EGFR, CMET..), suggesting that inefficiency of these drugs would be at least in part linked to the inhibitor itself or its pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics parameters. Indeed KIs are metabolized and transported via phase I and II enzymes that are mainly controlled by the xenoreceptor PXR (Pregnane X Receptor, gène NR1I2). It is mainly expressed in liver and gastro-intestinal tract but also in epithelial tumors. PXR is also involved in the resistance to chemotherapies by increasing the catabolism and the efflux of these anticancer agents. To date only one study evaluated PXR expression in prostate cancer without evaluating its impact on treatment efficacy. In collaboration with Pr G. Fromont we analyzed a cohort of 449 prostate tumors and observed that PXR was more frequently detected in castration resistant or metastatic tumors as compared to clinically localized forms in which PXR expression was significantly correlated with TNM and ISUP Score. These results confirmed the interest to study the potential role of PXR and its target genes in the sensitivity to kinase inhibitors in prostate cancer models.We measured the expression of PXR and its target genes in prostate cancer cell lines 22RV1, LnCap, PC3 and DU145. The results showed that enzymes and transporters involved in KI detoxification was significantly expressed in these cells whereasPXR was poorly expressed due to hypermethylation of NR1I2 in our cells. This lead us to develop specific prostate cancer cell models stably overexpressing PXR in which transcriptional activity of PXR can be induced by its known agonist SR12813 further indicating that prostate cancer cells are metabolically competent. Using these models we showed that PXR overexpression modulates the sensitivity of 22RV1 cells to erlotinib, dasatinib, dabrafenib and afatinib, demonstrating that PXR plays a functional role in the sensitivity to KIs. We also demonstrated that several KIs were PXR agonists, including dabrafenib that displayed enhanced agonistic properties as compared to SR12813, a result that was never published before. This original finding led us to engage the cristalization of PXR/dabrafenib complex and to test whether induction of PXR could lead to an alteration of metabolism and transport of other drugs that are co-administered. In this line we have observed that in 22RV1 cells the additive effect of the combination of dabrafenib with trametinib that is already approved in the treatment of melanomas, became antagonistic when PXR was overexpressed in these cells. This result is supporting our hypothesis though we still need to demonstrate that this effect is linked to a change in drugs metabolism, which is currently under investigation by the measurement of the known metabolites of these KIs.Altogether, our data could serve as rational basis for the choice of kinase inhibitors or their potential combinations that could be tested in further clinical trials alone or in association with hormone therapies or with chemotherapies that are currently prescribed in the treatment of advanced prostate cancers, in order to potentiate tumor response.De plus en plus d’inhibiteurs de kinase (IKs) sont testés dans le cancer de la prostate qui représente chez l’homme un enjeu de santé publique majeur de par son incidence (1er cancer) et sa mortalité (4ème cancer). Les essais cliniques pour évaluer l'efficacité des IKs dans cette indication ont donné des résultats mitigés malgré la présence de leurs cibles pharmacologiques dans les tumeurs de prostate (VEGF, EGFR, CMET..), pouvant faire penser que l’inefficacité serait en partie liée à la molécule elle-même et à sa pharmacocinétique/pharmacodynamie. En effet, les IKs sont sujets à un métabolisme et un transport intense via des enzymes de phase I et II et des transporteurs contrôlés pour la majorité par le récepteur nucléaire PXR (Pregnane X Receptor, gène NR1I2). En plus d’être abondamment exprimé dans le foie et le long du tractus gastro-intestinal, PXR est également exprimé dans certaines tumeurs épithéliales et pourrait être impliqué dans la résistance aux chimiothérapies par augmentation du catabolisme et de l’efflux de ces agents anticancéreux. A ce jour une seule étude a révélé l’expression de PXR dans le cancer de la prostate sans en avoir évalué l’impact sur la réponse aux traitements utilisés dans cette indication. En collaboration avec le Pr G. Fromont, nous avons observé dans une cohorte de 449 patients que l’expression de PXR était plus fréquemment retrouvée dans les cancers résistants à la castration et les métastases, par rapport aux cancers cliniquement localisés dans lesquels l’expression de PXR était corrélée avec le stade TNM et le score ISUP. Ces résultats confirment donc l’intérêt d’étudier le rôle que peut jouer PXR et les gènes du métabolisme et du transport qu’il régule, dans la sensibilité aux IKs dans les cancers de la prostate.Nous avons mesuré l’expression de PXR et de ses gènes cibles dans les lignées de cancer de la prostate 22RV1, LnCap, PC3 et DU145. Les résultats montrent une expression significative des enzymes et transporteurs responsables de la détoxication des IKs mais une faible expression de PXR liée à des phénomènes d’hyperméthylation NR1I2 dans nos lignées Cela nous a conduit à établir des modèles de surexpression stable de PXR dans lesquels l’agoniste SR12813 est capable d’induire l’activité transcriptionnelle de ce xénorécepteur, indiquant la compétence métabolique de ces lignées. À l'aide de ces modèles, nous avons démontré que la surexpression de PXR module la réponse à l’erlotinib, le dasatinib, le dabrafénib et l’afatinib démontrant que PXR joue un rôle fonctionnel dans la sensibilité à ces IKs. Nous avons également démontré que certains inhibiteurs avaient des propriétés agonistes de PXR, notamment le dabrafénib qui montre un effet agoniste plus marqué que le composé de référence SR12813, ce qui n’a jamais été démontré. Cette découverte originale nous a conduit à engager une collaboration pour tenter de cristalliser le complexe PXR/dabrafénib et à tester l’hypothèse que l’induction de l’activité PXR pouvait entraîner une modification du métabolisme et/ou du transport d’autres médicaments co-administrés. Or, nous avons observé dans la lignée 22RV1 un effet additif entre le dabrafénib et le tramétinib, une combinaison approuvée dans le traitement du mélanome, qui devient antagoniste lorsque PXR est surexprimé, résultat qui va effectivement dans le sens de notre hypothèse même s’il reste à démontrer que cet effet est bien lié à une altération du métabolisme de ces IKs, ce que nous sommes en train d’évaluer en dosant les métabolites de ces IKs. L’ensemble de nos données pourraient servir de rationnel biologique dans le choix des IKs ou de leurs combinaisons à tester avec les hormonothérapies et chimiothérapies déjà utilisés dans le traitement du cancer de la prostate, afin de potentialiser la réponse tumorale

Association of NR1I2, CYP3A5 and ABCB1 genetic polymorphisms with variability of temsirolimus pharmacokinetics and toxicity in patients with metastatic bladder cancer

International audiencePURPOSE:Temsirolimus is a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor that exhibits antitumor activity in renal cell carcinoma and mantle cell lymphoma. The metabolism of temsirolimus and its active metabolite sirolimus mainly depends on cytochrome P450 3A4/5 (CYP3A4/A5) and the ABCB1 transporter. Differently from sirolimus, no pharmacogenetic study on temsirolimus has been conducted. Therefore, the aim of this pilot study was to identify genetic determinants of the inter-individual variability in temsirolimus pharmacokinetics and toxicity.METHODS:Pharmacokinetic profiles were obtained for 16 patients with bladder cancer after intravenous infusion of 25 mg temsirolimus. Non-compartmental analysis was performed to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters of temsirolimus and sirolimus, its main metabolite. The presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CYP3A5, ABCB1 and in their transcriptional regulator NR1I2 (PXR) was assessed by genotyping. Non-parametric statistical tests were used to assess associations between candidate SNPs and temsirolimus pharmacokinetics and toxicity.RESULTS:The ratio between sirolimus AUC and temsirolimus AUC was 1.6-fold higher in patients who experienced serious toxic events (p = 0.034). The frequency of adverse events was significantly higher in patients homozygous for the NR1I2-rs6785049 A allele (OR = 0.065, p = 0.04) or NR1I2-rs3814055 C allele (OR = 0.032, p = 0.006). These NR1I2 SNPs were also predictive of temsirolimus half-life and global exposure to temsirolimus and sirolimus. Finally, the effect of the ABCB1-rs1128503, ABCB1-rs2032582 and CYP3A5*3 SNPs on sirolimus pharmacokinetics was confirmed.CONCLUSIONS:Our findings suggest that SNPs of NR1I2 and its target genes CYP3A5 and ABCB1 are genetic determinants of temsirolimus pharmacokinetics and toxicity in patients with bladder cancer

Effect of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Xenobiotic-sensing Receptors NR1I2 and NR1I3 on the Pharmacokinetics and Toxicity of Irinotecan in Colorectal Cancer Patients

International audienceBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Nuclear receptors PXR (pregnane X receptor, NR1I2) and CAR (constitutive androstane receptor, NR1I3) are key regulators of irinotecan metabolism, and ligand-dependent modulation of their activity leads to significant drug-drug interactions. Because genetic polymorphisms can also affect the activity of these xenobiotic-sensing receptors, we hypothesized that they could contribute to the interpatient variability of irinotecan pharmacokinetics and to the toxicity of irinotecan-based regimens.PATIENTS AND METHODS:In a cohort of 109 metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with irinotecan (180 mg/m(2)) in combination with other drugs, associations were assessed between 21 selected single nucleotide polymorphisms of NR1I2 or NR1I3 and pharmacokinetic parameters or toxicity of irinotecan and its metabolites.RESULTS:After adjustment of the tests by the UGT1A1*28 genotype and correction for multiple testing, the A allele of NR1I2-rs10934498 was associated with a decreased exposition and an increased degradation of SN-38, the active metabolite (p = 0.009 and p = 0.017, respectively). The risk of hematological toxicity was associated with NR1I2-rs10934498 and NR1I2-rs2472677 (p = 0.009 and p = 0.003, respectively).CONCLUSION:Our results reveal for the first time the involvement of NR1I2 in the pharmacogenetics of irinotecan and suggest that it may help to predict the toxicity of low-dose irinotecan

The Anti-Cancer Drug Dabrafenib Is a Potent Activator of the Human Pregnane X Receptor

The human pregnane X receptor (hPXR) is activated by a large set of endogenous and exogenous compounds and plays a critical role in the control of detoxifying enzymes and transporters regulating liver and gastrointestinal drug metabolism and clearance. hPXR is also involved in both the development of multidrug resistance and enhanced cancer cells aggressiveness. Moreover, its unintentional activation by pharmaceutical drugs can mediate drug–drug interactions and cause severe adverse events. In that context, the potential of the anticancer BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib suspected to activate hPXR and the human constitutive androstane receptor (hCAR) has not been thoroughly investigated yet. Using different reporter cellular assays, we demonstrate that dabrafenib can activate hPXR as efficiently as its reference agonist SR12813, whereas it does not activate mouse or zebrafish PXR nor hCAR. We also showed that dabrafenib binds to recombinant hPXR, induces the expression of hPXR responsive genes in colon LS174T-hPXR cancer cells and human hepatocytes and finally increases the proliferation in LS174T-hPXR cells. Our study reveals that by using a panel of different cellular techniques it is possible to improve the assessment of hPXR agonist activity for new developed drugs.</jats:p

The Anti-Cancer Drug Dabrafenib Is a Potent Activator of the Human Pregnane X Receptor

International audienceThe human pregnane X receptor (hPXR) is activated by a large set of endogenous and exogenous compounds and plays a critical role in the control of detoxifying enzymes and transporters regulating liver and gastrointestinal drug metabolism and clearance. hPXR is also involved in both the development of multidrug resistance and enhanced cancer cells aggressiveness. Moreover, its unintentional activation by pharmaceutical drugs can mediate drug-drug interactions and cause severe adverse events. In that context, the potential of the anticancer BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib suspected to activate hPXR and the human constitutive androstane receptor (hCAR) has not been thoroughly investigated yet. Using different reporter cellular assays, we demonstrate that dabrafenib can activate hPXR as efficiently as its reference agonist SR12813, whereas it does not activate mouse or zebrafish PXR nor hCAR. We also showed that dabrafenib binds to recombinant hPXR, induces the expression of hPXR responsive genes in colon LS174T-hPXR cancer cells and human hepatocytes and finally increases the proliferation in LS174T-hPXR cells. Our study reveals that by using a panel of different cellular techniques it is possible to improve the assessment of hPXR agonist activity for new developed drugs

PXR Modulates the Prostate Cancer Cell Response to Afatinib by Regulating the Expression of the Monocarboxylate Transporter SLC16A1

International audienceResistance to castration is a crucial issue in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. Kinase inhibitors (KIs) have been tested as potential alternatives, but none of them are approved yet. KIs are subject of extensive metabolism at both the hepatic and the tumor level. Here, we studied the role of PXR (Pregnane X Receptor), a master regulator of metabolism, in the resistance to KIs in a prostate cancer setting. We confirmed that PXR is expressed in prostate tumors and is more frequently detected in advanced forms of the disease. We showed that stable expression of PXR in 22Rv1 prostate cancer cells conferred a resistance to dasatinib and a higher sensitivity to erlotinib, dabrafenib, and afatinib. Higher sensitivity to afatinib was due to a ~ 2-fold increase in its intracellular accumulation and involved the SLC16A1 transporter as its pharmacological inhibition by BAY-8002 suppressed sensitization of 22Rv1 cells to afatinib and was accompanied with reduced intracellular concentration of the drug. We found that PXR could bind to the SLC16A1 promoter and induced its transcription in the presence of PXR agonists. Together, our results suggest that PXR could be a biomarker of response to kinase inhibitors in castration-resistant prostate cancers

PXR Modulates the Prostate Cancer Cell Response to Afatinib by Regulating the Expression of the Monocarboxylate Transporter SLC16A1

Resistance to castration is a crucial issue in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. Kinase inhibitors (KIs) have been tested as potential alternatives, but none of them are approved yet. KIs are subject of extensive metabolism at both the hepatic and the tumor level. Here, we studied the role of PXR (Pregnane X Receptor), a master regulator of metabolism, in the resistance to KIs in a prostate cancer setting. We confirmed that PXR is expressed in prostate tumors and is more frequently detected in advanced forms of the disease. We showed that stable expression of PXR in 22Rv1 prostate cancer cells conferred a resistance to dasatinib and a higher sensitivity to erlotinib, dabrafenib, and afatinib. Higher sensitivity to afatinib was due to a ~ 2-fold increase in its intracellular accumulation and involved the SLC16A1 transporter as its pharmacological inhibition by BAY-8002 suppressed sensitization of 22Rv1 cells to afatinib and was accompanied with reduced intracellular concentration of the drug. We found that PXR could bind to the SLC16A1 promoter and induced its transcription in the presence of PXR agonists. Together, our results suggest that PXR could be a biomarker of response to kinase inhibitors in castration-resistant prostate cancers.</jats:p

Efficacy and safety of isatuximab plus bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma ineligible/with no immediate intent for autologous stem cell transplantation

Patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) ineligible for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) have lower survival rates and may benefit from frontline regimens that include novel agents. This Phase 1b study (NCT02513186) evaluated preliminary efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of isatuximab, an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, combined with bortezomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (Isa-VRd) in patients with NDMM ineligible for/with no intent for immediate ASCT. Overall, 73 patients received four 6-week induction cycles of Isa-VRd, then maintenance with Isa-Rd in 4-week cycles. In the efficacy population (n = 71), the overall response rate was 98.6%, with 56.3% achieving a complete response or better (sCR/CR), and 36/71 (50.7%) patients reaching minimal residual disease negativity (10-5 sensitivity). Grade ?3 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in 79.5% (58/73) of patients but TEAEs leading to permanent study treatment discontinuation were reported in 14 (19.2%) patients. Isatuximab PK parameters were within the previously reported range, suggesting that VRd does not alter the PK of isatuximab. These data support additional studies of isatuximab in NDMM, such as the Phase 3 IMROZ study (Isa-VRd vs VRd).This study was sponsored by Sanofi.S