AUTHOR=Davis S. Lindsey , Robertson Kelli M. , Pitts Todd M. , Tentler John J. , Bradshaw-Pierce Erica L. , Klauck Peter J. , Bagby Stacey M. , Hyatt Stephanie L. , Selby Heather M. , Spreafico Anna , Ecsedy Jeffrey A. , Arcaroli John J. , Messersmith Wells A. , Tan Aik Choon , Eckhardt S. Gail TITLE=Combined inhibition of MEK and Aurora A kinase in KRAS/PIK3CA double-mutant colorectal cancer models JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology VOLUME=6 YEAR=2015 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2015.00120 DOI=10.3389/fphar.2015.00120 ISSN=1663-9812 ABSTRACT=

Aurora A kinase and MEK inhibitors induce different, and potentially complementary, effects on the cell cycle of malignant cells, suggesting a rational basis for utilizing these agents in combination. In this work, the combination of an Aurora A kinase and MEK inhibitor was evaluated in pre-clinical colorectal cancer models, with a focus on identifying a subpopulation in which it might be most effective. Increased synergistic activity of the drug combination was identified in colorectal cancer cell lines with concomitant KRAS and PIK3CA mutations. Anti-proliferative effects were observed upon treatment of these double-mutant cell lines with the drug combination, and tumor growth inhibition was observed in double-mutant human tumor xenografts, though effects were variable within this subset. Additional evaluation suggests that degree of G2/M delay and p53 mutation status affect apoptotic activity induced by combination therapy with an Aurora A kinase and MEK inhibitor in KRAS and PIK3CA mutant colorectal cancer. Overall, in vitro and in vivo testing was unable to identify a subset of colorectal cancer that was consistently responsive to the combination of a MEK and Aurora A kinase inhibitor.