Abstract 3714: Characterization of a selective focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitor in a panel of glioblastoma cell lines identify rational drug-drug combination strategies

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) is a key regulator of cancer cell migration and invasion and overexpression of FAK and Src has been associated with resistance to current anticancer therapies. Thus, inhibition of FAK may represent a promising therapeutic approach to anti-cancer treatment. We investigated the anti-cancer activity of the FAK inhibitor (GSK2256098) in a panel of 26 human glioblastoma (GBM) cell lines. GBM is one of the most aggressive and lethal forms of cancer, characterized by exponential growth and diffuse invasiveness. Herein, we report that 8/26 GBM cell lines displayed sensitivity to FAK inhibition in both migration and Matrigel invasion assays. GSK2256098 had minimal effect on 2D cell proliferation. Integrated genomic and proteomic analyses revealed up-regulation of the PI3K and MAPK pathways in the FAK inhibitor-resistant GBM cell lines, suggesting possible drug combination strategies. To test this hypothesis, we assessed the effects of combining GSK2256098 with a PI3K inhibitor and a MEK inhibitor in the FAK inhibitor-resistant GBM cell lines. Our results suggest that multi-agent inhibition of FAK and MEK or PI3K may provide an attractive therapeutic strategy for GBM. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3714. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3714