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Increased drug resistance is associated with reduced glucose levels and an enhanced glycolysis phenotype
Author(s) -
Bhattacharya B,
Low S H H,
Soh C,
Kamal Mustapa N,
BelouecheBabari M,
Koh K X,
Loh J,
Soong R
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/bph.12668
Subject(s) - pi3k/akt/mtor pathway , carboplatin , glycolysis , cancer cell , cytotoxic t cell , autophagy , cytotoxicity , biology , pharmacology , cell culture , chemistry , cancer research , biochemistry , cisplatin , apoptosis , in vitro , medicine , cancer , metabolism , chemotherapy , genetics
Background and Purpose The testing of anticancer compounds in vitro is usually performed in hyperglycaemic cell cultures, although many tumours and their in vivo microenvironments are hypoglycaemic. Here, we have assessed, in cultures of tumour cells, the effects of reduced glucose levels on resistance to anticancer drugs and investigated the underlying cellular mechanisms. Experimental Approach PIK3CA mutant ( AGS , HGC 27), and wild‐type ( MKN 45, NUGC 4) gastric cancer cells were cultured in high‐glucose ( HG , 25 mM) or low‐glucose ( LG , 5 mM) media and tested for sensitivity to two cytotoxic compounds, 5‐fluorouracil (5‐ FU ) and carboplatin, the PI 3 K / mTOR inhibitor, PI 103 and the mTOR inhibitor, Ku ‐0063794. Key Results All cells had increased resistance to 5‐ FU and carboplatin when cultured in LG compared with HG conditions despite having similar growth and cell cycle characteristics. On treatment with PI 103 or Ku ‐0063794, only the PIK3CA mutant cells displayed increased resistance in LG conditions. The PIK3CA mutant LG cells had selectively increased p‐ mTOR , p‐ S 6, p‐4 EBP 1, GLUT 1 and lactate production, and reduced reactive oxygen species, consistent with increased glycolysis. Combination analysis indicated PI 103 and Ku ‐0063794 were synergistic in PIK3CA mutant LG cells only. Synergism was accompanied by reduced mTOR signalling and increased autophagy. Conclusions and Implications Hypoglycaemia increased resistance to cytotoxic agents, especially in tumour cells with a high dependence on glycolysis. Dual inhibition of the PI 3 K / mTOR pathway may be able to attenuate such hypoglycaemia‐associated resistance.