Inhibition of heat shock protein 90 suppresses squamous carcinogenic progression in a mouse model of esophageal cancer

Purpose Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), a potential therapeutic target, has been widely recognized in vitro and in vivo in immunodeficient mice. Here, we aimed to evaluate the role of Hsp90 in an immunocompetent mouse model of esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC). Methods The carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO) was used to induce ESCC in C57BL/6 mice. Cancer progression was analyzed through observation of appearance, hematoxylin–eosin staining, immunohistochemical detection, and terminal dUTP nick-end labeling analysis. Results 4NQO led to the progressive appearance of preneoplastic and tumoral lesions in the esophagus, with 100 % incidence of ESCC in situ occurring only after 16 weeks of carcinogen exposure. Most of these lesions evolved spontaneously into highly invasive ESCC even after 4NQO withdrawal (weeks 16–22). Interestingly, there was marked upregulation of Hsp90 and its client proteins in tumoral lesions at 22 weeks. Hsp90 inhibition by intraperitoneal injection of SNX-2112 over the following 2 weeks downregulated AKT and cyclin D1 expression, leading to significant reduction in tumor incidence and prevention of ESCC progression. Moreover, SNX-2112 treatment decreased proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression and increased the number of apoptotic cells in ESCC tissues. Conclusions Our in vivo findings support the contribution of Hsp90 to ESCC progression, which was achieved by stimulating apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation, and provide a strong rationale for further evaluation of Hsp90 inhibitors for treating ESCC.