The membrane-targeted alkylphosphocholine erufosine interferes with survival signals from the extracellular matrix

Integrin-dependent adhesion of tumor cells to extracellular matrix proteins provides anchorage-dependent protection from cell death. In the present investigation we aimed to understand whether and how the paradigmatic membrane-targeted synthetic phospholipid analog erufosine is relevant for tumor cell adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins, cell survival and migration. The antineoplastic action of erufosine was analyzed with glioblastoma and prostate cancer cells adhering to fibronectin or collagen I using proliferation, adhesion and migration assays. The composition of adhesion contacts containing activated β1 integrins was studied using immunofluorescence. The importance of β1 integrins for the observed effects was analyzed in fibroblasts proficient or deficient in β1 integrin expression. Adhesion to collagen I and fibronectin increased the death threshold in serum-deprived tumor cells. Moreover, β1 integrin-deficient cells were more sensitive to erufosine-treatment compared to β1 integrin proficient cells suggesting a role of β1 integrins for matrix-mediated death resistance. Most importantly, erufosine disturbed the maturation of the cell adhesion complexes containing paxillin, activated β1 integrins and phosphorylated FAK, leading to a reduction of survival signals and inhibition of tumor cell adhesion and migration. These findings suggest that membrane-targeted synthetic phospholipids analogs may be of value for counteracting matrix-mediated treatment resistance in combined treatment approaches with radiotherapy or chemotherapy.