ET-59 * DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A MEK1 INHIBITOR (AZD6244) SENSITIVE CHILDHOOD ASTROCYTOMA CELL LINE

We previously characterized the development and reversal of acquired resistance to the MEK1 inhibitor AZD6244 in an in vivo model of childhood astrocytoma. The BT-40 astrocytoma xenograft model expresses mutated BRAFV600E and is highly sensitive to AZD6244, but acquires resistance, which can be overcome with the addition of the STAT3 inhibitor LLL12. The purpose of this current study was to establish and characterize a cell line derived from the xenograft model as well as develop an orthotopic mouse model. Sensitivity to AZD6244 and LLL12, expression-profiling assessment of MEK signature and compensatory pathways, and cytokine levels were assessed in the newly developed BT-40 cell line. The BT-40 cell line exhibited sensitivity to AZD6244 and LLL12 with IC50 values of 350nM and 1 µM, respectively. Combination treatment was additive. Treatment with AZD6244 inhibited p-Erk and the mTOR downstream signaling molecule p-S6, while p-Akt, p-STAT3, p-4E-BP1 increased. Kinase expression arrays performed on cells treated with AZD6244 showed a decrease in IL-1α, G-CSF, and IL-6 and an increase in CXCL10. The decrease in IL-6 was restored to baseline levels with the addition of LLL12. Interestingly, the JAK2 inhibitor AZD1480 failed to restore the IL-6 levels. The IL-6 results observed in the expression arrays were confirmed by ELISA. The BT-40 cell line, along with a cell line stably expressing luciferase (BT-40Luc), were implanted into the caudate putamen using stereotaxic guidance. The BT-40Luc cells exhibited exponential growth over time as evaluated with bioluminescent imaging. In conclusion, a cell line derived from a previously described in vivo model of childhood astrocytoma was developed that closely recapitulated our original findings in the xenograft model following treatment with the MEK1 inhibitor AZD6244. Furthermore, an orthotopic model of these cells was developed, which will allow us to characterize response to established and novel therapeutic agents. Supported by PHS award {type:entrez-nucleotide,attrs:{text:CA169368,term_id:35091720,term_text:CA169368}}CA169368.