Title
Propranolol blocks osteosarcoma cell cycle progression, inhibits angiogenesis and slows xenograft growth in combination with cisplatin-based chemotherapy
Date Issued
01 December 2022
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Solernó L.M.
Sobol N.T.
Gottardo M.F.
Capobianco C.S.
Ferrero M.R.
Alonso D.F.
Garona J.
Publisher(s)
Nature Research
Abstract
Osteosarcoma is still associated with limited response to standard-of-care therapy and alarmingly elevated mortality rates, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Despite multiple efforts to repurpose β-blocker propranolol in oncology, its potential application in osteosarcoma management remains largely unexplored. Considering the unsatisfied clinical needs of this aggressive disease, we evaluated the antitumoral activity of propranolol using different in vitro and in vivo osteosarcoma preclinical models, alone or in addition to chemotherapy. Propranolol significantly impaired cellular growth in β2-adrenergic receptor-expressing MG-63 and U-2OS cells, and was capable of blocking growth-stimulating effects triggered by catecholamines. siRNA-mediated ADRB2 knockdown in MG-63 cells was associated with decreased cell survival and a significant attenuation of PPN anti-osteosarcoma activity. Direct cytostatic effects of propranolol were independent of apoptosis induction and were associated with reduced mitosis, G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and a significant down-regulation of cell cycle regulator Cyclin D1. Moreover, colony formation, 3D spheroid growth, cell chemotaxis and capillary-like tube formation were drastically impaired after propranolol treatment. Interestingly, anti-migratory activity of β-blocker was associated with altered actin cytoskeleton dynamics. In vivo, propranolol treatment (10 mg/kg/day i.p.) reduced the early angiogenic response triggered by MG-63 cells in nude mice. Synergistic effects were observed in vitro after combining propranolol with chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin. Sustained administration of propranolol (10 mg/kg/day i.p., five days a week), alone and especially in addition to low-dose metronomic cisplatin (2 mg/kg/day i.p., three times a week), markedly reduced xenograft progression. After histological analysis, propranolol and cisplatin combination resulted in low tumor mitotic index and increased tumor necrosis. β-blockade using propranolol seems to be an achievable and cost-effective therapeutic approach to modulate osteosarcoma aggressiveness. Further translational studies of propranolol repurposing in osteosarcoma are warranted.
Volume
12
Issue
1
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Oncología
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85137541119
PubMed ID
Source
Scientific Reports
ISSN of the container
20452322
Sponsor(s)
This work was supported by the National Agency for the Promotion of Science and Technology (ANPCYT, Argentina, Grant No. PICT2017/2056 to DFA and JG), the National Institute of Cancer (grant Nº INC 2018/2021 to DFA and JG), and the National University of Quilmes Research Program grant (Nº PUNQ1297/19 to Dr. Daniel E. Gomez and Dr. Mariano R. Gabri). DFA and JG are members of CONICET. LMS and NTS are doctoral research fellows and MFG and CSC are postdoctoral research fellows, all from CONICET. MRF is a postdoctoral research fellow from Max Planck Institute. We would like to acknowledge the participation of Dr. Berenice Freile, M.D., and Dr. Alejandra Scursoni, M.D., especially for their involvement in histological processing and analysis. MG-63 and U-2OS cell lines were kindly provided by Dr. Ignacio E. León (Laboratory of Metal based Drugs, National University of La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina) and Dr. Vanesa Gottifredi (Cell Cycle and Genomic Stability Lab, Leloir Institute Foundation, Buenos Aires, Argentina), respectively. We would also like to recognize Dr. Ariana Bruzzone (Biochemical Research Institute, CONICET-National University of the South, Bahía Blanca, Argentina) for kindly contributing with technical advice and critical reagents.
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus