Farnesyl transferase inhibitors cause enhanced mitotic sensitivity to taxol and epothilones Journal Article


Authors: Moasser, M. M.; Sepp-Lorenzino, L.; Kohl, N. E.; Oliff, A.; Balog, A.; Su, D. S.; Danishefsky, S. J.; Rosen, N.
Article Title: Farnesyl transferase inhibitors cause enhanced mitotic sensitivity to taxol and epothilones
Abstract: An important class of cellular proteins, which includes members of the p21ras family, undergoes posttranslational farnesylation, a modification required for their partition to membranes. Specific farnesyl transferase inhibitors (FTIs) have been developed that selectively inhibit the processing of these proteins. FTIs have been shown to be potent inhibitors of tumor cell growth in cell culture and in murine models and at doses that cause little toxicity to the animal. These data suggest that these drugs might be useful therapeutic agents. We now report that, when FTI is combined with some cytotoxic antineoplastic drugs, the effects on tumor cells are additive. No interference is noted. Furthermore, FTI and agents that prevent microtubule depolymerization, such as taxol or epothilones, act synergistically to inhibit cell growth. FTI causes increased sensitivity to induction of metaphase block by these agents, suggesting that a farnesylated protein may regulate the mitotic check point. The findings imply that FTI may be a useful agent for the treatment of tumors with wild-type ras that are sensitive to taxanes.
Keywords: immunohistochemistry; controlled study; human cell; cisplatin; doxorubicin; fluorouracil; drug potentiation; antineoplastic agents; paclitaxel; antineoplastic agent; mitosis; cell cycle; apoptosis; enzyme inhibition; breast cancer; cell growth; antineoplastic activity; tumor cell culture; tumor cells, cultured; enzyme inhibitor; vinblastine; animalia; drug synergism; dna; isotope labeling; enzyme inhibitors; protein farnesyltransferase inhibitor; murinae; thiazoles; cell strain mcf 7; methionine; epothilones; growth inhibition; tritium; dna fragmentation; farnesyltranstransferase; dna content; humans; human; priority journal; article; alkyl and aryl transferases
Journal Title: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume: 95
Issue: 4
ISSN: 0027-8424
Publisher: National Academy of Sciences  
Date Published: 1998-02-17
Start Page: 1369
End Page: 1374
Language: English
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.95.4.1369
PUBMED: 9465021
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC19006
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 12 December 2016 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Mark M Moasser
    56 Moasser
  2. Neal Rosen
    425 Rosen
  3. Dai-Shi   Su
    12 Su