Bi-induced death of HSC45-M2 gastric cancer cells is characterized by G2 arrest and up-regulation of genes known to prevent apoptosis but induce necrosis and mitotic catastrophe

Tumor cells are efficiently killed after incubation with A-emitter immunoconjugates targeting tumor-specific antigens. Therefore, application of A-emitter immunoconjugates is a promising therapeutic option for treatment of carcinomas that are characterized by dissemination of single tumor cells in the peritoneum like ovarian cancer or gastric cancer. In diffuse-type gastric cancer, 10% of patients express mutant d9-E-cadherin on the surface of tumor cells that is targeted by the monoclonal antibody d9MAb. Coupling of the A-emitter Bi to d9MAb provides an efficient tool to eliminate HSC45-M2 gastric cancer cells expressing d9-E-cadherin in vitro and in vivo. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms triggered by A-emitters in tumor cells could help to improve strategies of A-emitter radioimmunotherapy. For that purpose, gene expression of Bi-treated tumor cells was quantified using a real time quantitative-PCR low-density array covering 380 genes in combination with analysis of cell proliferation and the mode of cell death. We could show that Bi-induced cell death was initiated by G2 arrest; up-regulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), SPHK1, STAT5A, p21, MYT1, and SSTR3; and down-regulation of SPP1, CDC25 phosphatases, and of genes involved in chromosome segregation. Together with morphologic changes, these results suggest that Bi activates death cascades different from apoptosis. Furthermore, Bitriggered up-regulation of SSTR3 could be exploited for improvement of the therapeutic regimen. [Mol Cancer Ther 2007;6(8):2346–59]