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Updated: Dec 10, 2025
Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 20, 2018
HS-173, a selective PI3K inhibitor, induces cell death in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines
Elisabeth Foki1, Isabella Stanisz1, Lorenz Kadletz1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
Background:
The selective PI3K (Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase) inhibitor HS-173 has anticancer activity in non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer cells. Of all head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) 20% harbor specific mutations in the genome. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of HS-173 on HNSCC cell lines.
Methods:
The cell lines SCC25, CAL27 and FaDu were incubated with HS-173. Its antiproliferative effect was determined using the CCK‑8 cell proliferation assay. Combined incubation with cisplatin was performed and combination index analysis was conducted. To investigate its effect on radiotherapy, cells were irradiated with 2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy, respectively. Synergistic effects of radiation and HS-173 were measured by proliferation assays and clonogenic survival.
Results:
The use of HS-173 induced significant reduction of cell proliferation across all cell lines. Most interestingly, it showed a synergistic effect with cisplatin treatment. Clonogenic survival revealed a radiosensitizing effect in CAL27 and FaDu cells. The HS-173 caused significant induction of apoptosis in SCC25 and FaDu cells.
Conclusion:
The selective PI3K inhibitor HS-173 is a potent chemosensitizing and also radiosensitizing drug in treatment of HNSCC cell lines and could be an effective treatment in PI3K-mutated HNSCC.
Insights
The PI3K inhibitor HS-173 effectively reduces head and neck cancer cell proliferation. It enhances chemotherapy and radiotherapy, showing promise for PI3K-mutated HNSCC treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) exhibits genetic mutations in 20% of cases.
- Selective Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor HS-173 demonstrates anticancer properties in lung and pancreatic cancer models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of the PI3K inhibitor HS-173 in HNSCC cell lines.
- To investigate the combined effects of HS-173 with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Main Methods:
- HNSCC cell lines (SCC25, CAL27, FaDu) were treated with HS-173.
- Antiproliferative effects assessed via CCK-8 assay.
- Synergistic effects with cisplatin and radiation (2-8 Gy) evaluated using combination index analysis, proliferation assays, and clonogenic survival assays.
Main Results:
- HS-173 significantly reduced proliferation in all tested HNSCC cell lines.
- A synergistic effect was observed when HS-173 was combined with cisplatin.
- HS-173 demonstrated radiosensitizing effects in CAL27 and FaDu cells and induced apoptosis in SCC25 and FaDu cells.
Conclusions:
- The PI3K inhibitor HS-173 exhibits potent chemosensitizing and radiosensitizing capabilities in HNSCC cell lines.
- HS-173 represents a potential therapeutic agent for HNSCC, particularly in cases with PI3K mutations.
