Dual targeting of GSK3B and HDACs reduces tumor growth and improves survival in an ovarian cancer mouse model

OBJECTIVE. To investigate the anti-tumor effect of a newly-developed dual inhibitor (APCS-540) of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3B) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) in ovarian cancer cells. METHODS. The effects of APCS-540 on cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion and cancer stemness were investigated in vitro in human (KURAMOCHI, OVCA420, OVSAHO) and mouse (BR-Luc, ID8, MOSE-HRas-Myc) ovarian cancer cells. Cisplatin-sensitive (A2780) and cisplatin-resistant (A2780cis) cell lines were used to evaluate APCS-540’s effect on chemoresistance. The immunocompetent syngeneic mouse model BR-Luc was used to test the effect of APCS-540 on ovarian cancer progression and survival. RESULTS. APCS-540 showed significant anti-tumor effects in vitro in both human and mouse ovarian cancer cells. Importantly, APCS-540 demonstrated marked cytotoxicity against cisplatin-resistant cancer cells and reversed cisplatin-resistance when used in combination with platinum. APCS-540 significantly decreased cancer cell invasion. A significant 66% increase in survival was observed in mice treated with APCS-540 compared to control mice. CONCLUSION. Dual inhibition of GSK3B and HDACs via APCS-540 showed potent anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that APCS-540 may provide a novel treatment option for ovarian cancer, including the platinum-resistant disease.