Elevated choline kinase alpha (ChoK) levels are observed in most solid tumors, including glioblastomas (GBM), and ChoK inhibitors have demonstrated limited efficacy in GBM models. Given that hypoxia is associated with resistance to GBM therapy, we hypothesized that tumor hypoxia could be responsible for the limited response. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of hypoxia on the function of JAS239, a potent ChoK inhibitor in four GBM cell lines.

Our findings indicate that JAS239 and hypoxia can deregulate cellular metabolism, inhibit cell proliferation, and alter cell invasion. These results may be useful for designing new therapeutic strategies based on ChoK inhibition, which can act on multiple pro-tumorigenic features.

Rodent (F98 and 9L) and human (U-87 MG and U-251 MG) GBM cell lines were subjected to 72 h of hypoxic conditioning and treated with JAS239 for 24 h. NMR metabolomic measurements and analyses were performed to evaluate the signaling pathways involved. In addition, cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and cell invasion parameters were measured in 2D cell monolayers as well as in 3D cell spheroids, with or without JAS239 treatment, in normoxic or hypoxic cells to assess the effect of hypoxia on JAS239 function.

Hypoxia and JAS239 treatment led to significant changes in the cellular metabolic pathways, specifically the phospholipid and glycolytic pathways, associated with a reduction in cell proliferation via induced cell cycle arrest. Interestingly, JAS239 also impaired GBM invasion. However, effects from JAS239 were variable depending on the cell line, reflecting the inherent heterogeneity of GBMs. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that JAS239 and hypoxia can deregulate cellular metabolism, inhibit cell proliferation, and alter cell invasion. These results may be useful for designing new therapeutic strategies based on ChoK inhibition, which can act on multiple pro-tumorigenic features.