HDAC6 Inhibitor WT161 Performs Antitumor Effect on Ostersarcoma and Synergistically Interacts with 5-FU

Background WT161, as a selective HDAC6 inhibitor, has been shown to play anti-tumor effects on several kinds of cancers. The aim of this study is to explore the roles of WT161 in osteosarcoma and its underlying mechanisms. Methods The anti-proliferative effect of WT161 on osteosarcoma cells was examined using MTT assay and colony formation assay. Cell apoptosis was analyzed using flow cytometer. The synergistic effect was evaluated by isobologram analysis using CompuSyn software. The osteosarcoma xenograft models were established to evaluate the anti-proliferative effect of WT161 in vivo. Results WT161 suppressed the cell growth and induced apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Mechanistically, we found that WT161 treatment obviously increased the protein level of PTEN and decreased the phosphorylation level of AKT. More importantly, WT161 show synergistic inhibition with 5-FU on osteosarcoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions These results indicate that WT161 inhibits the growth of osteosarcoma through PTEN and has a synergistic efficiency with 5-FU.