A Novel Small Peptide Inhibitor of NFκB, RH10, Blocks Oxidative Stress-Dependent Phenotypes in Cancer

BACKGROUND: The RH domain of GRK5 is an effective modulator of cancer growth through the inhibition of NFκB activity. The aim of this study was to identify the minimum effective sequence of RH that is still able to inhibit tumor growth and could be used as a peptide-based drug for therapy. METHODS: Starting from the RH sequence, small peptides were cloned and tested in KAT-4 cells. The effects on NFκB signaling and its dependent phenotypes were evaluated by Western blot, TUNEL assay, proliferation assay, and angiogenesis in vitro. In vivo experiments were performed in KAT-4 xenografts in Balb/c nude mice. RESULTS: A minimum RH ten amino acids long sequence (RH10) was able to interact with IκB, to increase IκB levels, to induce apoptosis, to inhibit KAT4-cell proliferation, NFκB activation, ROS production, and angiogenesis in vitro. In vivo, the peptide inhibited tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner. We also tested its effects in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs and radiotherapy. RH10 ameliorated the antitumor responses to cisplatin, doxorubicin, and ionizing radiation. CONCLUSION: Our data propose RH10 as a potential peptide-based drug to use for cancer treatment both alone or in combination with anticancer therapies.