Astemizole, an inhibitor of ether-à-go-go-1 potassium channel, increases the activity of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib in breast cancer cells
Rev. invest. clín; 71 (3), 2019
Publication year: 2019
Abstract Background Expression and activity of the potassium channel ether-à-go-go-1 (EAG1) are strongly related to carcinogenesis and tumor progression, which can be exploited for therapeutic purposes. EAG1 activity may be reduced by preventing its phosphorylation with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase inhibitors and by astemizole, which blocks the channel pore and downregulates its gene expression. Objective We aimed to study the potential cooperative antiproliferative effect of the EGFR inhibitor gefitinib and the EAG1-blocker astemizole, in breast cancer cells. Materials and Methods The cells were characterized by immunocytochemistry. Inhibitory concentrations were determined by non-linear regression analysis using dose-response curves. The nature of the pharmacological effect was evaluated by the combination index equation while cell cycle analysis was studied by flow cytometry. Results Astemizole and gefitinib inhibited cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner, with inhibitory concentrations (IC 50) values of 1.72 µM and 0.51 µM, respectively. All combinations resulted in a synergistic antiproliferative effect. The combination of astemizole and gefitinib diminished the percentage of cells in G2/M and S phases, while increased accumulation in G0/G1 of the cell cycle. Conclusions Astemizole and gefitinib synergistically inhibited proliferation in breast cancer cells expressing both EGFR and EAG1. Our results suggest that the combined treatment increased cell death by targeting the oncogenic activity of EAG1.
Antineoplásicos/administración & dosificación, Antineoplásicos/farmacología, Astemizol/administración & dosificación, Astemizol/farmacología, Neoplasias de la Mama/tratamiento farmacológico, Neoplasias de la Mama/genética, Neoplasias de la Mama/patología, Línea Celular Tumoral, Proliferación Celular/efectos de los fármacos, Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga, Sinergismo Farmacológico, Receptores ErbB/antagonistas & inhibidores, Receptores ErbB/genética, Canales de Potasio Éter-A-Go-Go/antagonistas & inhibidores, Canales de Potasio Éter-A-Go-Go/genética, Gefitinib/administración & dosificación, Gefitinib/farmacología, Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica, Concentración 50 Inhibidora, Inhibidores de Proteínas Quinasas/administración & dosificación, Inhibidores de Proteínas Quinasas/farmacología