Abstract B45: c-MYC is a potential therapeutic target for cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer accounts for approximately 3% of all cancers in women. However, it is the deadliest cancer of the female reproductive system. Due to its non-specific symptoms, ovarian cancer is diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease. The most common standard treatment for advanced ovarian cancer is the platinum-based drugs such as cisplatin. However, over 70% of women relapse due to chemoresistance. Several mechanisms of cisplatin resistance have been described. However, the exact mechanism is not known. Evidence indicates that activation of the transcription factor c-MYC and its regulated genes could be involved in such resistance. Furthermore, it has been found that there is a significant association between increasing c-MYC expression and poor survival. Our previous findings showed that c-MYC messenger (mRNA) levels were similar in a panel of resistant and sensitive ovarian cancer cells. However, cispaltin resistant cells expressed higher levels of c-MYC protein when compared to their sensitive counterparts. We found that specific microRNAs (miRNAs) could be involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of c-MYC in cisplatin resistant ovarian cancer cells. Importantly, targeting of c-MYC with small interference RNA (siRNA) in the cispaltin resistant ovarian cancer cells, A2780CP20 induced a significant cell growth arrest and inhibition of cell proliferation. These data suggests c-MYC as a potential therapeutic target for overcoming cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer. Supported by: NIH-NCI 1K22CA166226-01A1 (PEVM), and the UPR-MDACC Partnership in Cancer Research Training Program. Citation Format: Pablo E. Vivas-Mejia, jeyshka Reyes, Anil K. Sood. c-MYC is a potential therapeutic target for cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Myc: From Biology to Therapy; Jan 7-10, 2015; La Jolla, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2015;13(10 Suppl):Abstract nr B45.