Cancers, Vol. 11, Pages 202: SYK Inhibition Potentiates the Effect of Chemotherapeutic Drugs on Neuroblastoma Cells in Vitro

In this study, we observed elevated SYK gene expression in neuroblastoma compared to neural crest and benign neurofibroma. While SYK protein was detected in the majority of examined neuroblastoma tissues it was less frequently observed in neuroblastoma cell lines. Depletion of SYK by siRNA and the use of small molecule SYK inhibitors significantly reduced the cell viability of neuroblastoma cell lines expressing SYK protein. Moreover, SYK inhibition decreased ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation. The SYK inhibitor BAY 613606 enhanced the effect of different chemotherapeutic drugs. Transient expression of a constitutive active SYK variant increased the viability of neuroblastoma cells independent of endogenous SYK levels. Collectively, our findings suggest that targeting SYK in combination with conventional chemotherapy should be further evaluated as a treatment option in neuroblastoma.

Source: Cancers - February 10, 2019 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Conny T ümmler Gianina Dumitriu Malin Wickstr öm Peter Coopman Andrey Valkov Per Kogner John Inge Johnsen Ugo Moens Baldur Sveinbj örnsson Tags: Article Source Type: research