As a proof of concept, we applied this approach to a KRAS-dependent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line, H23-KRAS<sup>G12C</sup> Using a combination of phenotypic screens, signaling analyses, and kinase inhibitors, we found that dual inhibition of MEK1/2 and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R)/insulin receptor (INSR) is critical for blocking proliferation in cells.
Selumetinib (AZD6244, ARRY142886), a MEK1/2 inhibitor combined with chemotherapy in patients with NSCLC was evaluated in two schedules to evaluate efficacy and toxicity.
Further research aimed at discovering biomarkers of response and resistance to MEK1/2 inhibitors will be needed to develop rational combination strategies for the treatment of NSCLC driven by aberrant MAPK signaling.
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) Promotes the Toxicity of TRAIL in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells via Post-Transcriptional Regulation of MEK-1 Expression.
Selumetinib (AZD6244, ARRY-142886) is a potent and selective inhibitor of MEK1/2 which has demonstrated significant efficacy in combination with docetaxel in patients with KRAS mutant pretreated advanced NSCLC.
In a recent phase II study, selumetinib (AZD6244, ARRY-142886), an oral, potent and selective, allosteric MEK1/2 inhibitor with a short half-life, combined with docetaxel, improved clinical outcome as second-line treatment for patients with KRASm NSCLC.
A randomized phase II study of the MEK1/MEK2 inhibitor trametinib (GSK1120212) compared with docetaxel in KRAS-mutant advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)†.
With 8 μg of tumor aspirates, we precisely quantified the response of 18 signaling molecules to erlotinib and MEK1 inhibitor treatments in an NSCLC patient.
Here, we identified a novel MEK1/2 inhibitor, CZ0775, and compared its cytotoxic effects to those of AZD6244 (selumetinib) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines harboring EGFR mutations.
We found that (1) H358, LC2, and H1975 cell lines highly expressed NAMPT-mRNA; (2) NAMPT-specific siRNA and FK866 suppressed proliferation of these NSCLCs; (3) FK866 reduced intracellular ATP levels in H1975 cells; (4) FK866 dephosphorylated EGFR signal proteins, including EGFR, Akt, Map kinase kinase 1/2, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2); (5) FK866 induced apoptosis of H1975 cells; and (6) FK866 suppressed growth of H1975 xenograft tumors and attenuated expression of phospho-ERK 1/2 in the tumors in a tumor-bearing mouse model.
Exposure of two human non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines (A549 and H1975) to curcumin could suppress MMC-induced MKK1/2-ERK1/2 signal activation and Rad51 protein expression.
We also screened 85 NSCLC cell lines for MEK1 exon 2 mutations; one line (NCI-H1437) harbors a Q56P substitution, a known transformation-competent allele of MEK1 originally identified in rat fibroblasts, and is sensitive to treatment with AZD6244.