Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

BACKGROUND: Inhibitors of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway are currently in clinical trials. In addition to antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects, these agents also diminish tumor hypoxia. Since hypoxia is a major cause of resistance to radiotherapy, we sought to understand how it is regulated by PI3K/mTOR inhibition. METHODS: Whole cell, mitochondrial, coupled and uncoupled oxygen consumption were measured in cancer cells after inhibition of PI3K (Class I) and mTOR by pharmacological means or by RNAi. Mitochondrial composition was assessed by immunoblotting. Hypoxia was measured in spheroids, in tumor xenografts and predicted with mathematical modeling. RESULTS: Inhibition of PI3K and mTOR reduced oxygen consumption by cancer cell lines is predominantly due to reduction of mitochondrial respiration coupled to ATP production. Hypoxia in tumor spheroids was reduced, but returned after removal of the drug. Murine tumors had increased oxygenation even in the absence of average perfusion changes or tumor necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Targeting the PI3K/mTOR pathway substantially reduces mitochondrial oxygen consumption thereby reducing tumor hypoxia. These alterations in tumor hypoxia should be considered in the design of clinical trials using PI3K/mTOR inhibitors, particularly in conjunction with radiotherapy.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.radonc.2014.02.007

Type

Journal article

Journal

Radiother Oncol

Publication Date

04/2014

Volume

111

Pages

72 - 80

Keywords

Hypoxia, Oxidative metabolism, PI3K, Reoxygenation, mTOR, Aminopyridines, Animals, Cell Hypoxia, Cell Line, Tumor, HCT116 Cells, Humans, Imidazoles, Mice, Morpholines, Neoplasms, Oxygen Consumption, Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase, Protein Kinase Inhibitors, Quinolines, Signal Transduction, Spheroids, Cellular, TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases