Inhibition of activin signaling in lung adenocarcinoma increases the therapeutic index of platinum chemotherapy

Kieren D. Marini, David R. Croucher, Rachael A. McCloy, Vijesh Vaghjiani, Alvaro Gonzalez-Rajal, Jordan F. Hastings, Venessa Chin, Anette Szczepny, Kaja Kostyrko, Cesar Marquez, W. Samantha, N. Jayasekara, Muhammad Alamgeer, Vishal Boolell, Jeremy Z.R. Han, Todd Waugh, Hong Ching Lee, Samantha R. Oakes, Beena Kumar, Craig A. HarrisonMark P. Hedger, Nirmal Lorensuhewa, Badia Kita, Ross Barrow, Bruce W. Robinson, David M. De Kretser, Jianmin Wu, Vinod Ganju, E. Alejandro Sweet-Cordero, Andrew Burgess, Luciano G. Martelotto, Fernando J. Rossello, Jason E. Cain, D. Neil Watkins

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Resistance to platinum chemotherapy is a long-standing problem in the management of lung adenocarcinoma. Using a whole-genome synthetic lethal RNA interference screen, we identified activin signaling as a critical mediator of innate platinum resistance. The transforming growth factor- (TGF) superfamily ligands activin A and growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) mediated resistance via their cognate receptors through TGF-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), rather than through the SMAD family of transcription factors. Inhibition of activin receptor signaling or blockade of activin A and GDF11 by the endogenous protein follistatin overcame this resistance. Consistent with the role of activin signaling in acute renal injury, both therapeutic interventions attenuated acute cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, its major dose-limiting side effect. This cancer-specific enhancement of platinum-induced cell death has the potential to dramatically improve the safety and efficacy of chemotherapy in lung cancer patients.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbereaat3504
JournalScience Translational Medicine
Volume10
Issue number451
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Jul 2018

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