A hypoxic microenvironment induces resistance to alkylating agents by activating targets in the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. The molecular mechanisms involved in this mTOR-mediated hypoxia-induced chemoresistance, however, are unclear. Here we identify the mTOR target N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) as a key determinant of resistance toward alkylating chemotherapy, driven by hypoxia but also by therapeutic measures such as irradiation, corticosteroids, and chronic exposure to alkylating agents via distinct molecular routes involving hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha, p53, and the mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2)/serum glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase 1 (SGK1) pathway. Resistance toward alkylating chemotherapy but not radiotherapy was dependent on NDRG1 expression and activity. In posttreatment tumor tissue of patients with malignant gliomas, NDRG1 was induced and predictive of poor response to alkylating chemotherapy. On a molecular level, NDRG1 bound and stabilized methyltransferases, chiefly O 6 -methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), a key enzyme for resistance to alkylating agents in glioblastoma patients. In patients with glioblastoma, MGMT promoter methylation in tumor tissue was not more predictive for response to alkylating chemotherapy in patients who received concomitant corticosteroids. P rimary or acquired antitumor therapy resistance is one of the major obstacles in oncology. For glioma, to date, this is pivotal for the standard of care, radiotherapy, and temozolomide (TMZ) alkylating chemotherapy. The DNA repair protein O 6

An essential mode of acquired resistance to radiotherapy (RT) appears to be promotion of tumor cell motility and invasiveness in various cancer types, including glioblastoma, a process resembling 'evasive resistance'. Hence, a logical advancement of RT would be to identify suitable complementary treatment strategies, ideally targeting cell motility. Here we report that the combination of focal RT and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibition using clinically relevant concentrations of temsirolimus (CCI-779) prolongs survival in a syngeneic mouse glioma model through additive cytostatic effects. In vitro, the mTOR inhibitor CCI-779 exerted marked anti-invasive effects, irrespective of the phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 status and counteracted the proinvasive effect of sublethal irradiation. Mechanistically, we identified regulator of G-protein signaling 4 (RGS4) as a novel target of mTOR inhibition and a key driver of glioblastoma invasiveness, sensitive to the anti-invasive properties of CCI-779. Notably, suppression of RGS4-dependent glioma cell invasion was signaled through both mTOR complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that high doses of CCI-779 may overcome tumor-cell resistance associated with the sole inhibition of mTORC1. We conclude that combined RT and mTOR inhibition is a promising therapeutic option that warrants further clinical investigation in upfront glioblastoma therapy.Oncogene advance online publication, Word Count:5,868 words Condensed title:Radiation-enhanced mTOR inhibition in glioblastomaWeiler et al. 2 AbstractA relevant mode of resistance to antiangiogenic and radiotherapy appears to be promotion of tumour cell motility and invasiveness in various cancer types, a process commonly referred to as 'evasive resistance' that may underlie progressive disease and complicates further treatment. Hence, a logical advancement in current oncology consists in optimizing antiangiogenic regimens by identifying suitable complementary strategies, ideally targeting cell motility. Here we report that clinically relevant radiation-enhanced inhibition of the mTOR complexes 1 and 2 exercises such a dual control of angiogenesis and invasiveness independent from PTEN/AKT activation in glioblastoma, a tumour entity that is paradigmatic for both excessive vascular proliferation and cell invasion. This is due to a concerted disrupture of the VEGF/VEGFR-2 signalling axis and likewise suppression of RGS4, which we identified to be a key driver of glioblastoma invasiveness. This combined antiangiogenic/antiinvasive approach might be a promising therapeutic option and warrants further clinical investigation in upfront glioblastoma therapy.Weiler et al.3

No abstract