Akt inhibitors MK-2206 and nelfinavir overcome mTOR inhibitor resistance in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Adam M. Petrich, Violetta Leshchenko, Pei Yu Kuo, Bing Xia, Venu K. Thirukonda, Netha Ulahannan, Shanisha Gordon, Melissa J. Fazzari, B. Hilda Ye, Joseph A. Sparano, Samir Parekh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: The mTOR pathway is constitutively activated in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). mTOR inhibitors have activity in DLBCL, although response rates remain low. We evaluated DLBCL cell lines with differential resistance to the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin: (i) to identify gene expression profile(s) (GEP) associated with resistance to rapamycin, (ii) to understand mechanisms of rapamycin resistance, and (iii) to identify compounds likely to synergize with mTOR inhibitor. Experimental Design: We sought to identify a GEP of mTOR inhibitor resistance by stratification of eight DLBCL cell lines with respect to response to rapamycin. Then, using pathway analysis and connectivity mapping, we sought targets likely accounting for this resistance and compounds likely to overcome it. We then evaluated two compounds thus identified for their potential to synergize with rapamycin in DLBCL and confirmed mechanisms of activity with standard immunoassays. Results: We identified a GEP capable of reliably distinguishing rapamycin-resistant from rapamycinsensitive DLBCL cell lines. Pathway analysis identified Akt as central to the differentially expressed gene network. Connectivity mapping identified compounds targeting Akt as having a high likelihood of reversing the GEP associated with mTOR inhibitor resistance. Nelfinavir and MK-2206, chosen for their Akt-inhibitory properties, yielded synergistic inhibition of cell viability in combination with rapamycin in DLBCL cell lines, and potently inhibited phosphorylation of Akt and downstream targets of activated mTOR. Conclusions: GEP identifies DLBCL subsets resistant to mTOR inhibitor therapy. Combined targeting of mTOR and Akt suppresses activation of key components of the Akt/mTOR pathway and results in synergistic cytotoxicity. These findings are readily adaptable to clinical trials.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2534-2544
Number of pages11
JournalClinical Cancer Research
Volume18
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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