The Effect of Canertinib on Sensitivity of Cytotoxic Drugs in Tamoxifen-Resistant Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro

Abstract

Aims and Objectives. To investigate and examine the reversal effects of canertinib on the activity of EGFR and tamoxifen resistance in drug-resistant human breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7/TamR). Materials and Methods. The antiproliferative activity of canertinib alone or in combination with a conventional EGFR-targeting chemotherapies cytotoxic drugs differing in the mechanism(s) of action, such as paclitaxel, carboplatin, etoposide, vinorelbine, and daunorubicin as well as resistance mechanisms of EGFR targeting, have been investigated. Results. With an elevated dosage of canertinib, a significant decrease in proliferation and increase in apoptosis was observed. The treatment with higher doses of canertinib resulted in a 2-3-fold increase in apoptosis. In the combined treatment, it had been noticed a significant developed apoptotic cell death rather induced by single agent treatment. A significant downregulation of the antiapoptotic protein bcl-2 was exposed by immunocytochemistry investigation. Sensitivity to paclitaxel was also measured and was found to inversely correlate to bcl-2 status. Conclusion. Proliferation inhibition and apoptosis in MCF-7/TAM-R cells increase with increasing dosage of canertinib. This suggests that canertinib can reverse tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer cells. The antitumor effect of this EGFR-irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor provides a rationale for its clinical evaluation in combination with other cytotoxic drugs.