Abstract LB-210: Abrogation of mutant TP53 radiation resistance by lithium induced CTNNB1 (β-catenin) activation in medulloblastoma.
Authors: Zhukova Nataliya , Martin Dianna , Lipman Tatiana , Castelo-Branco Pedro , Zhang Cindy H. , Fraser Michael , Baskin Berivan , Ray Peter , Bouffet Eric , Bristow Robert , Alman Benjamin A. , Taylor Michael D. , Malkin David , Hawkins Cynthia , Tabori Uri 
Published: August 2012

Introduction: Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common paediatric malignant brain neoplasm. 30 % of patients will reccur and die of their tumour. TP53 mutations confer radiation resistance; we have recently demonstrated that somatic mutations in TP53 are predictive of poor survival in patients with MB. Patients with both TP53 and WNT activating CTNNB1 (β-catenin) mutations demonstrate improved survival compared to patients with TP53 mutations alone. WNT pathway is abrogated in 10% of MB. Lithium Chloride (LiCl) treatment constitutively activates WNT pathway by inhibition of Gsk3β-mediated degradation of β-catenin. Radiation therapy is key treatment in MB; hence we hypothesized that activation of WNT/β-catenin signalling can rescue radiation resistance of TP53 mutant phenotype, sensitize MB cells to radiation and can be achieved with administration of LiCl. Methods: Human MB, TP53 wild type (wt) and mutant (mut), all CTNNB1 wt cell lines were used to investigate radiation response and effect of LiCl on cell survival by clonogenic assays. Functional roles of TP53 and CTNNB1 mutations in response to LiCl/radiation treatments were assessed by transfection of mutant genes on a wild type background. Double strand (DS) DNA damage-repair was assessed by γH2AX immunofluorescence (IF). Normal neuronal stem cells were used to assess effects of LiCl/radiation on normal brain tissue by clonogenic assay. Results: TP53 mut MB cells were resistant to radiation compared to TP53 wt cells by clonogenic assay (p&lt;0.01), accompanied by more efficient DNA damage response manifested by lower numbers of γH2AX foci. Transfection of R175H dominant-negative TP53 mutation to wt cells resulted in increased clonogenic potential post-radiation (p&lt;0.01). MB cells transfected with CTNNB1 S33Y mutation revealed increased radiosenstivity especially in TP53 mut MB (p&lt;0.01). LiCl treatment resulted in nuclear translocation of β-catenin and signalling activation by luciferase assay, which is consistent with activation of WNT pathway. Treatment with LiCl increased radiation sensitivity of both wt and mut TP53 cells (p&lt;0.01; p&lt;0.05 respectively), accompanied by increased DS DNA damage and delayed repair in both lines by γH2AX IF. LiCl treatment of normal neuronal stem cells did not sensitize them to radiation suggesting that LiCl is a tumour specific treatment. Conclusions: Constitutive activation of β-catenin by LiCl sensitizes TP53 mut MB cells to radiation possibly through activation of β-catenin/TCF mediated transcription and impaired DS DNA repair response. These findings may explain survival advantage in CTNNB1 mut MB patients harbouring TP53 mutation. Knowing safety of LiCl and its neuroprotective capacity in normal neuronal cells, oral administration of LiCl may represent an attractive novel therapy for MB patients. Investigations of the molecular mechanisms governing this phenomenon are ongoing.

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 LB-210. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-LB-210