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Targeting irradiation‐induced mitogen‐activated protein kinase activation in vitro and in an ex vivo model for human head and neck cancer
Author(s) -
Affolter Annette,
Muller MarieFrance,
Sommer Katharina,
Stenzinger Albrecht,
Zaoui Karim,
Lorenz Katja,
Wolf Thomas,
Sharma Sarika,
Wolf Janina,
Perner Sven,
Weber KlausJosef,
Freier Kolja,
Plinkert Peter K.,
Hess Jochen,
Weichert Wilko
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.24376
Subject(s) - ex vivo , radioresistance , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , mapk/erk pathway , cancer research , kinase , protein kinase a , in vivo , cancer , cell culture , biology , chemistry , medicine , head and neck cancer , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics
Background Despite new radiotherapeutic strategies, radioresistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains a major problem. Preclinical model systems are needed to identify resistance mechanisms in this heterogeneous entity. Methods We elucidated the interplay among mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK)‐inhibition, radiation, and p53 mutations in vitro and in a novel ex vivo model derived from vital human HNSCC samples. HNSCC cell lines (p53WT/mut) were treated with the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MEK)‐inhibitor PD‐0325901 and subsequently irradiated. Radiosensitization was functionally assessed and evaluated in the ex vivo model. Results We observed a pronounced irradiation‐induced extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation in 2 cell lines, which was independent of their p53 mutation status and associated with PD‐0325901‐related radiosensitization in a clonogenic assay. Heterogeneity in irradiation‐induced ERK phosphorylation and in radiosensitization after MEK‐inhibition was also reflected in the ex vivo model. Conclusion We provide experimental evidence for radiosensitizing effects of PD‐0325901 in HNSCC. The ex vivo culture technology might offer a promising tool for individualized drug efficacy testing. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38 : E2049–E2061, 2016