Therapeutic inhibition of polo-like kinases in anaplastic thyroid cancer Journal Article


Authors: Lin, S. F.; Yeh, C. N.; Huang, Y. T.; Chou, T. C.; Wong, R. J.
Article Title: Therapeutic inhibition of polo-like kinases in anaplastic thyroid cancer
Abstract: Polo-like kinases (PLKs) are potent regulators of cell proliferation and cell survival. Polo-like kinases are potential targets in the treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), a rare but deadly disease. The therapeutic effects of volasertib, a PLK inhibitor, was evaluated for the treatment of ATC either alone or in combination with sorafenib. Volasertib decreased cell viability in three ATC cell lines (8505C, 8305C, and KAT18) in a dose-dependent manner. Volasertib caused ATC cells to accumulate in G2/M phase, activated caspase-3 activity, and induced apoptosis. Combination therapy using volasertib and sorafenib in ATC cells showed mostly synergistic effects. In vivo studies revealed that combination therapy of volasertib and sorafenib was effective in the treatment of 8505C xenografts. Single-agent volasertib treatment was sufficient to retard 8305C tumor growth. No substantial morbidity was observed in animals that received either single-agent or combination treatment. These preclinical findings suggest that volasertib could be an effective drug in treating ATC. © 2020 The Authors. Cancer Science published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Cancer Association.
Keywords: sorafenib; antineoplastic agents; antineoplastic agent; cell proliferation; mouse; animal; animals; mice; cell survival; apoptosis; drug effect; drug screening; pathology; xenograft model antitumor assays; cell line, tumor; protein serine threonine kinase; protein-serine-threonine kinases; tumor cell line; thyroid carcinoma; thyroid neoplasms; combination therapy; thyroid tumor; anaplastic thyroid cancer; pteridine derivative; pteridines; humans; human; volasertib; thyroid carcinoma, anaplastic; polo-like kinase
Journal Title: Cancer Science
Volume: 112
Issue: 2
ISSN: 1347-9032
Publisher: Wiley Blackwell  
Date Published: 2021-02-01
Start Page: 803
End Page: 814
Language: English
DOI: 10.1111/cas.14769
PUBMED: 33306266
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC7893987
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 April 2021 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Richard J Wong
    412 Wong
  2. Ting-Chao Chou
    319 Chou