Novel Therapeutic Strategies Exploiting the Unique Properties of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

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  • Maryam Safari
  • Luigi Scotto
  • Litman, Thomas
  • Lubov A. Petrukhin
  • Hu Zhu
  • Min Shen
  • Robert W. Robey
  • Matthew D. Hall
  • Tito Fojo
  • Susan E. Bates

Background: Over the last few decades of treatment, the outcomes for at least some subsets of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) have improved. However, the identification of new vulnerabilities for this heterogeneous group of cancers remains a priority. Methods: Using two libraries of compounds selected for potential repurposing, we identified the inhibitors of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) and histone deacetylases (HDAC) as the agents with the highest activity. We validated the hits in an expanded set of neuroendocrine cell lines and examined the mechanisms of action. Results: In Kelly, NH-6, and NCI-H82, which are two neuroblastoma and one small cell lung cancer cell lines, respectively, metabolic studies suggested that cell death following NAMPT inhibition is the result of a reduction in basal oxidative phosphorylation and energy production. NAMPT is the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of NAD+, and in the three cell lines, NAMPT inhibition led to a marked reduction in the ATP and NAD+ levels and the catalytic activity of the citric acid cycle. Moreover, comparative analysis of the mRNA expression in drug-sensitive and -insensitive cell lines found less dependency of the latter on oxidative phosphorylation for their energy requirement. Further, the analysis of HDAC and NAMPT inhibitors administered in combination found marked activity using low sub-lethal concentrations of both agents, suggesting a synergistic effect. Conclusion: These data suggest NAMPT inhibitors alone or in combination with HDAC inhibitors could be particularly effective in the treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasms.

Original languageEnglish
Article number4960
JournalCancers
Volume15
Issue number20
Pages (from-to)1-16
ISSN2072-6694
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

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Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 by the authors.

    Research areas

  • HDAC inhibitors, metabolism, NAMPT inhibitors, neuroendocrine, neuroendocrine neoplasms, YAP1

ID: 373833406