A Novel Bioavailable BH3 Mimetic Efficiently Inhibits Colon Cancer via Cascade Effects of Mitochondria.

PURPOSE Gossypol and its analogs, through their ability to bind to and inactivate BH3 domain-containing antiapoptotic proteins, have been shown to inhibit the growth of various human cancer cells in culture and xenograft models. Here, we evaluated the antitumor efficacy of a novel gossypol derivative and BH3 mimetic ch282-5 (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid sodium-gossypolone) in colon cancer models. Several innovative combination strategies were also explored and elaborated. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Ch282-5 was synthesized by modifying the active aldehyde groups and R groups of gossypol according to a computer-aided drug design program. The stability of ch282-5 was examined by high-performance liquid chromatography, and cytotoxic effects of ch282-5 on colon cancer cells were assessed by MTS assay. Activation of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway by ch282-5 was evidenced with a series of molecular biology techniques. In vivo antitumor activity of ch282-5 and its combination with chloroquine, rapamycin, oxaliplatin, and ABT-263 was also evaluated in colon cancer xenograft models and experimental liver metastasis models. RESULTS Ch282-5 showed antiproliferative and pro-cell death activity against colon cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, and the response to the drug correlated with inhibition of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, induction of mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway, and disruption of mitophagy and mTOR pathway. Ch282-5 also suppressed liver metastasis produced by intrasplenic injection of colon cancer cells. Furthermore, ch282-5 could potentiate the effectiveness of oxaliplatin and rescue ABT-263 efficacy by downregulation of Mcl-1 and elevation of platelet number. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide a rational basis for clinical investigation of this highly promising BH3 mimetic in colon cancer.