HER2/neu gene amplification determines the sensitivity of uterine serous carcinoma cell lines to AZD8055, a novel dual mTORC1/2 inhibitor

Objective. To evaluate c-erbB2 gene amplification in a series of primary uterine serous carcinoma (USC) cell lines. To assess the efficacy of AZD8055, a novel dual mTORC1/2 inhibitor against primary HER2/neu amplified vs HER2/neu not amplified USC cell lines. Methods. Twenty-two primary USC cell lines were evaluated for c-erbB2 oncogene amplification by FISH assays. In vitro sensitivity to AZD8055 was evaluated by flow-cytometry-based viability and proliferation assays. Cell cycle profile and downstream cellular responses to AZD8055 were assessed by measuring the DNA content of cells and by phosphorylation of the S6 protein by flow-cytometry. Results. Nine of 22 (40.9%) USC cell lines demonstrated c-erbB2 gene amplification by FISH. AZD8055 caused a strong differential growth inhibition in USC cell lines, with high HER-2/neu-expressors demonstrating significantly higher sensitivity when compared to low HER-2/neu-expressors (AZD-8055 IC50 mean +/- SEM = 027 +/- 0.05 mu M in c-erbB2 amplified versus 1.67 +/- 0.68 mu W in c-erbB2 not amplified tumors, P = 0.03). AZD8055 growth-inhibition was associated with a significant and dose-dependent increase in the percentage of cells blocked in the G0/G1 cell cycle phase and a dose-dependent decline in pS6 levels in both c-erbB2 amplified vs c-erbB2 not amplified USC cell lines. Conclusions. AZD8055 may represent a novel targeted therapeutic agent in patients harboring advanced/ recurrent/refractory USC. c-erbB2 gene amplification may represent a biomarker to identify USC patients who may benefit most from the use of AZD8055. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Inc.