Abstract
Side-effects and resistance substantially limit the efficacy of chemotherapy. One possible solution to this persistent problem would be co-administration of targeted therapy and chemotherapy to achieve synergistic anti-cancer effects without extra toxicity. Here, we reported that LY2228820, a selective inhibitor of p38-MAPK signaling pathway, could induce synergistic anti-cancer effects with anti-microtubule (AMT) chemotherapy both in vitro and in vivo. In drug-resistant cancer cells, treatment with either LY2228820 or AMT drug alone was compatible with viability, while co-administration of both led to dramatic cytotoxicity, G2/M arrest and apoptosis. Moreover, co-treatment with LY2228820 notably improved the effectiveness of paclitaxel without exhibiting adverse effects in vivo. Mechanistic studies showed that LY2228820 sensitized cancer cells to AMT agents independent of P-gp. LY2228820 did not influence either the expression or the function of P-gp. Instead, it could inhibit p38-HSP27 signaling axis by down-regulating p-HSP27. Furthermore, LY2228820 blocked the p-HSP27 mediated protective response against AMT drugs in tumor cells, resulting in mitochondrial instability and the activation of mitochondrial death pathways. This P-gp-independent regime containing LY2228820 and AMT agents could produce synergistic anti-cancer effects without extra systematic toxicity. Our study offers a novel strategy for improving the therapeutic efficacy of AMT drugs by achieving a better balance between efficacy and toxicity. This new combination regime could be advantageous in patients who show little response to the maximal dosage of AMT chemotherapy, as well as those unable to tolerate the systematic toxicity of these agents in clinic.