Autophagy inhibition to sensitize colon cancer to anti-angiogenic therapy

University Of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA

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Abstract

Project Summary The development of antiangiogenic therapy has resulted n therapeutic advances in many of the major epithelial malignancies. In some, however, the incremental;advance has been limited, and the basis for susceptibility and resistance has proven difficult to identify. Here we propose to build upon a hypothesis that autophagy is a protective mechanism that permits tumor cell survival in the face of bevacizumab-induced oxygen and nutrient deprivation, and we show in animal models that the effectiveness of bevacizumab is enhanced by autophagy inhibition. We have elucidate some of the likely signaling pathways involved in the protective effect, and seek more definitive evidence of the participation especially of JNK1 as a resistance factor. In parallel with this analysis in preclinical models, we propose a direct translation to the clinic, with a trial of hydroxychloroquine in combination with standard therapy for colorectal cancer.