Acyclic Retinoid Overcomes Vemurafenib Resistance in Melanoma Cells via Dual Inhibition of MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathways

Abstract

Background/aim: To investigate the effects of acyclic retinoid (ACR) on v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B^V600E (BRAF ^V600E)-mutant melanoma cells and its potential to overcome vemurafenib resistance by targeting the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways.

Materials and methods: The BRAF ^V600E-mutant melanoma cell lines, A375 and SK-Mel28, were treated with ACR alone or in combination with low-dose vemurafenib. Cell viability was measured and vemurafenib-resistant A375 cells (A375VR) were developed through prolonged exposure to vemurafenib. Western blotting was used to analyze the phosphorylation of extracellular-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), AKT, phospho-p70 S6 kinase (p70S6K), and Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4EBP1) as well as the expression of cell cycle- and apoptosis-related proteins.

Results: ACR reduced the viability of A375 and SK-Mel28 cells by inhibiting ERK1/2 phosphorylation and increasing cleavage of caspase-3. Combined treatment with ACR and low-dose vemurafenib enhanced the effects on melanoma cells. In A375VR cells, ACR reduced cell viability by inhibiting both the MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways, as evidenced by the reduced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, AKT, p70S6K, and 4EBP1. ACR also reduced cyclin D1 and BCL2 levels while increasing expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitory protein 1 (p27^KIP1).

Conclusion: ACR exhibited potent anticancer effects on BRAF ^V600E-mutant and vemurafenib-resistant melanoma cells by dual-targeting of MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways, indicating its potential as a novel therapeutic agent for melanoma treatment.

Keywords: ACR; Acyclic retinoid; malignant melanoma; vemurafenib resistance.