2. Academic Validation
  3. SMER28 is a mTOR-independent small molecule enhancer of autophagy that protects mouse bone marrow and liver against radiotherapy

SMER28 is a mTOR-independent small molecule enhancer of autophagy that protects mouse bone marrow and liver against radiotherapy

  • Invest New Drugs. 2018 Oct;36(5):773-781. doi: 10.1007/s10637-018-0566-0.
Michael I Koukourakis 1,  Alexandra Giatromanolaki 2,  Konstantina Fylaktakidou 3,  Efthimios Sivridis 2,  Christos E Zois 4,  Dimitra Kalamida 5,  Achilleas Mitrakas 5,  Stamatia Pouliliou 5,  Ilias V Karagounis 5,  Konstantinos Simopoulos 6,  David J P Ferguson 4,  Adrian L Harris 4
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, Democritus University of Thrace / University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece. targ@her.forthnet.gr.
  • 2 Department of Pathology, Democritus University of Thrace / University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
  • 3 Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace / University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
  • 4 CR UK Molecular Oncology Laboratories, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford, UK.
  • 5 Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, Democritus University of Thrace / University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
  • 6 Department of Experimental Surgery, Democritus University of Thrace / University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
PMID: 29387992 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-018-0566-0
Abstract

Effective cytoprotectors that are selective for normal tissues could decrease radiotherapy and chemotherapy sequelae and facilitate the safe administration of higher radiation doses. This could improve the cure rates of radiotherapy for Cancer patients. Autophagy is a cytoplasmic cellular process that is necessary for the clearance of damaged or aged proteins and organelles. It is a strong determinant of post-irradiation cell fate. In this study, we investigated the effect of the mTOR-independent small molecule enhancer of Autophagy (SMER28) on mouse liver Autophagy and post-irradiation recovery of mouse bone marrow and liver. SMER28 enhanced the Autophagy flux and improved the survival of normal hepatocytes. This effect was specific for normal cells because SMER28 had no protective effect on hepatoma or other Cancer cell line survival in vitro. In vivo subcutaneous administration of SMER28 protected mouse liver and bone marrow against radiation damage and facilitated survival of mice after lethal whole body or abdominal irradiation. These findings open a new field of research on autophagy-targeting radioprotectors with clinical applications in oncology, occupational, and space medicine.

Keywords

Amifostine; Autophagy; Ionizing radiation; Lysosomal biogenesis; Radioprotection; SMER28.

Figures
Products
  • Cat. No.
    Product Name
    Description
    Target
    Research Area
  • HY-100200
    99.92%, Autophagy Positive Regulator