Abstract A130: Cannabidiol overcomes oxaliplatin resistance by enhancing autophagy through reduction NOS3 and SOD2

Although oxaliplatin is an effective chemotherapeutic drug for colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment, patients often develop resistance to it. Therefore, a new strategy for CRC treatment is needed. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of cannabidiol (CBD), one of the components of the cannabis plant, in overcoming oxaliplatin resistance in CRC cells. We established oxaliplatin-resistant cell lines, DLD-1 R and colo205 R, in CRC DLD-1 and colo205 cells. Autophagic cell death was induced when oxaliplatin-resistant cells were treated with both oxaliplatin and CBD. Additionally, phosphorylation of nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) was increased in oxaliplatin-resistant cells compared to that in parent cells. Combined treatment with oxaliplatin and CBD reduced phospho-NOS3 levels and NO production and resulted in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by reducing the levels of superoxide dismutase 2, an antioxidant present in the mitochondria, causing mitochondrial dysfunction. Taken together, these results suggest that elevated phosphorylation of NOS3 is essential for oxaliplatin resistance. The combination of oxaliplatin and CBD decreased NOS3 phosphorylation, which resulted in autophagy, by inducing the overproduction of ROS through mitochondrial dysfunction, thus overcoming oxaliplatin resistance. Citation Format: Bu Gyeom Kim, Soyeon Jeong, Dae Yeong Kim, Bo Ram Kim, Jung Lim Kim, Seong Hye Park, Yoo Jin Na, Min Jee Jo, Hye Kyeong Yun, Yoon A Jeong, Sun Il Lee, Yoon A Jeong, Hong Jun Kim, Han Do Kim, Dae Hyun Kim, Dae-Hee Lee, Sang Cheul Oh. Cannabidiol overcomes oxaliplatin resistance by enhancing autophagy through reduction NOS3 and SOD2 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2019 Oct 26-30; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2019;18(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A130. doi:10.1158/1535-7163.TARG-19-A130