Combined proteasome and histone deacetylase inhibition in non-small cell lung cancer

Chadrick E Denlinger1, Michael D Keller, Marty W Mayo

  • 1Department of Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, 22908, USA.

Abstract

Insights

Combining proteasome inhibitors with histone deacetylase inhibitors synergistically enhances apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer by suppressing nuclear factor kappa B activation. This novel strategy may improve treatment outcomes for lung cancer patients.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

  • Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) induce cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in malignancies.
  • Chemotherapy activates antiapoptotic nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), limiting apoptosis.
  • We hypothesize that inhibiting NF-κB with bortezomib sensitizes NSCLC to HDACi-induced apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the synergistic effect of bortezomib and sodium butyrate on apoptosis in NSCLC cells.
  • To determine the impact of combined treatment on NF-κB activity, cell-cycle proteins, and apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • NSCLC cell lines (A549, H358, H460) were treated with bortezomib followed by sodium butyrate.
  • NF-κB transcriptional activity was assessed using a luciferase reporter assay and IL8 gene transcription.
  • Apoptosis was measured by caspase-3 activation and DNA fragmentation; cell-cycle proteins (p21, p53) and cell-cycle distribution were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Sodium butyrate increased NF-κB activity 4-fold; bortezomib reduced this to baseline.
  • Bortezomib stabilized p21 and p53, inducing G2/M cell-cycle arrest.
  • Combined HDAC and proteasome inhibition increased apoptosis 3- to 4-fold compared to butyrate alone.

Conclusions:

  • Combined targeting of HDACs and proteasomes synergistically induces apoptosis in NSCLC.
  • Pharmacologic NF-κB suppression via proteasome inhibition followed by HDAC inhibitors offers a novel NSCLC treatment strategy.