LAUSR

Heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a molecular chaperone involved in the conformational maturation of many client proteins that regulate cell proliferation, survival, and apoptosis. Due to the limited solubility of natural Hsp90 inhibitors, synthetic inhibitors with a more potent impact are being developed. In this study we examined the biological activity of a potent synthetic small molecule Hsp90 inhibitor, SNX-5422 (PF-04929113)and assessed its ability of to inhibit the growth of glioma and to synergize with temozolomide. We also examined the ability of SNX-5422 to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) and to achieve target inhibition in vivo. Using a combination of in vitro techniques, the effect of SNX-5422 on the biological impact and HSP90 client protein signaling were studied in glioma lines and patient-derived glioma stem like cells. Its efficacy as a single agent or in combination with TMZ was also assessed in vitro. To assess SNX-5422 ability to cross blood brain barrier, brain and plasma pharmacokinetics was performed in non-tumor bearing mice. SNX-5422 exhibited potent growth inhibition in both glioma cells and GSCs with an IC50 range of 100-500nM, and inhibited pro-survival signal kinases, phospho-Akt, p-ERK1/2 and p-S6 following treatment in GSC262 and GSC811. This was accompanied by accumulation of apoptotic cells following SNX-5422 exposure. Combination studies with TMZ showed a synergestic impact on glioma cell proliferation. Pharmacokinetics studies showed a significant drug penetrance into the intact brain further supported by elevated levels of HSP70 (molecular maker for HSP90 inhibition) by IHC. SNX-5422 is effective in downregulating Hsp90 client proteins required for glioma cell survival. In addition, SNX-5422 inhibits tumor growth by promoting apoptosis through modulation of several key signaling pathways and sensitizes glioma cells to TMZ. Given also that SNX-5422 crosses BBB, it warrants further investigation as a clinical agent for treatment of gliomas.