Identification of anaplastic lymphoma kinase as a potential therapeutic target in Basal Cell Carcinoma

Oncotarget. 2013 Dec;4(12):2237-48. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.1357.

Abstract

The pathogenesis of BCC is associated with sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling. Vismodegib, a smoothened inhibitor that targets this pathway, is now in clinical use for advanced BCC patients, but its efficacy is limited. Therefore, new therapeutic options for this cancer are required. We studied gene expression profiling of BCC tumour tissues coupled with laser capture microdissection to identify tumour specific receptor tyrosine kinase expression that can be targeted by small molecule inhibitors. We found a >250 fold increase (FDR<10-4) of the oncogene, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) as well as its ligands, pleiotrophin and midkine in BCC compared to microdissected normal epidermis. qRT-PCR confirmed increased expression of ALK (p<0.05). Stronger expression of phosphorylated ALK in BCC tumour nests than normal skin was observed by immunohistochemistry. Crizotinib, an FDA-approved ALK inhibitor, reduced keratinocyte proliferation in culture, whereas a c-Met inhibitor did not. Crizotinib significantly reduced the expression of GLI1 and CCND2 (members of SHH-pathway) mRNA by approximately 60% and 20%, respectively (p<0.01). Our data suggest that ALK may increase GLI1 expression in parallel with the conventional SHH-pathway and promote keratinocyte proliferation. Hence, an ALK inhibitor alone or in combination with targeting SHH-pathway molecules may be a potential treatment for BCC patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / enzymology*
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / pathology
  • Crizotinib
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Hedgehog Proteins / genetics
  • Hedgehog Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes / drug effects
  • Keratinocytes / enzymology
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism
  • Laser Capture Microdissection
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / biosynthesis
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Skin Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Transcription Factors / biosynthesis
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Zinc Finger Protein GLI1

Substances

  • GLI1 protein, human
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Pyrazoles
  • Pyridines
  • Transcription Factors
  • Zinc Finger Protein GLI1
  • Crizotinib
  • ALK protein, human
  • Alk protein, mouse
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases