Synergistic efficacy of telomerase-specific oncolytic adenoviral therapy and histone deacetylase inhibition in human hepatocellular carcinoma
Journal
Cancer letters
Journal Volume
556
Date Issued
2023-03-01
Author(s)
Hu, Mickey C-T
Ho, Ja-An Annie
Abstract
The telomerase-specific oncolytic adenovirus Telomelysin and the histone deacetylase inhibitor AR42 have demonstrated anticancer effects in preclinical models of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the clinical development of Telomelysin may be hindered by human antiviral immunity and tumor resistance. Combining oncolytic and epigenetic therapies is a viable approach for treating various cancers. This study investigated the potential synergism of Telomelysin and AR42 and the relevant underlying mechanisms. Telomelysin and AR42 exhibited synergistic antiproliferative effects in human HCC models in vitro and in vivo. Apoptosis induced by Telomelysin was significantly enhanced by AR42 in both PLC5 and Hep3B HCC cells. AR42 treatment unexpectedly attenuated the expression of the coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor and the mRNA levels of human telomerase reverse transcriptase, which may be positively associated with the cytotoxicity of Telomelysin. Meanwhile, the cellular antiviral interferon response was not altered by AR42 treatment. Further, we found that Telomelysin enhanced Akt phosphorylation in HCC cells. AR42 reduced Telomelysin-induced phospho-Akt activation and enhanced Telomelysin-induced apoptosis. The correlation of Akt phosphorylation with drug-induced apoptosis was validated in HCC cells with upregulated or downregulated Akt signaling. Combination therapy with Telomelysin and AR42 demonstrated synergistic anti-HCC efficacy. Clinical trials investigating this new combination regimen are warranted.
Subjects
Akt; HDAC inhibitor; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Oncolytic adenovirus; Telomelysin
SDGs
Publisher
ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD
Type
journal article