NVP-AUY922, a novel HSP90 inhibitor, inhibits the progression of malignant pheochromocytoma in vitro and in vivo

PURPOSE:

Malignant pheochromocytoma (PCC) is a rare tumor with a very poor prognosis and no effective treatments. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a novel second-generation synthetic heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitor, NVP-AUY922, to treat malignant PCC in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assays were used to assess the effects of NVP-AUY922 on the proliferation and migration of the PCC cell line PC12. Flow cytometry was used to determine the effects of NVP-AUY922 on apoptosis and cell-cycle progression. Activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling was measured using a Western blot analysis. In vivo, a mouse xenograft model was used to test the effects of intraperitoneal injection of NVP-AUY922 on tumor growth.

RESULTS:

NVP-AUY922 was found to be cytotoxic in PC12 cells at lower concentrations compared with 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamcyin (17-AAG). NVP-AUY922 inhibited the proliferation of PC12 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner and decreased the rate of migration of PC12 cells. Furthermore, we found that HSP90 inhibition induced cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. In vivo, administration of NVP-AUY922 reduced PCC tumor growth without significant weight loss. Finally, we observed the modulation of MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling in response to NVP-AUY922 exposure.

CONCLUSION:

NVP-AUY922 exhibits potent anti-PCC activities in vitro and in vivo and represents a promising therapeutic small molecule for treating malignant PCC.

Related Products

Cat.No.	Product Name	Information
S1069	Luminespib (NVP-AUY922)	Luminespib (AUY-922, NVP-AUY922, VER-52296) is a highly potent HSP90 inhibitor for HSP90α/β with IC50 of 13 nM /21 nM in cell-free assays, weaker potency against the HSP90 family members GRP94 and TRAP-1, exhibits the tightest binding of any small-molecule HSP90 ligand. Luminespib (AUY-922, NVP-AUY922) effectively downregulates and destabilizes the IGF-1Rβ protein and results in growth inhibition, autophagy and apoptosis. Phase 2.

Related Targets

HSP (HSP90)