Entinostat enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy in small cell lung cancer through S-phase arrest and decreased base excision repair

Purpose: Acquired chemoresistance is a frequent event in small cell lung Cancer (SCLC), one of the deadliest human malignancies. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have been shown to synergize with different chemotherapeutic agents including cisplatin. Accordingly, we aimed to investigate the dual targeting of HDAC inhibition and chemotherapy in SCLC.

Experimental design: The efficacy of HDACi and chemotherapy in SCLC was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Synergistic drug interactions were calculated based on the HSA model (Combenefit software). Results from proteomic analysis was confirmed via ICP-MS, cell cycle analysis, and comet assays.

Results: Single entinostat- or chemotherapy significantly reduced cell viability in human neuroendocrine SCLC cells. The combination of entinostat with either cisplatin, carboplatin, irinotecan, epirubicin, or etoposide led to strong synergy in a subset of resistant SCLC cells. Combination treatment with entinostat and cisplatin significantly decreased tumor growth in vivo. Proteomic analysis comparing the groups of SCLC cell lines with synergistic and additive response patterns indicated alterations in cell cycle regulation and DNA damage repair. Cell cycle analysis revealed that cells exhibiting synergistic drug responses displayed a shift from G1 to S-phase compared to cells showing additive features upon dual treatment. Comet assays demonstrated more DNA damage and decreased base excision repair in SCLC cells more responsive to combination therapy.

Conclusions: In this study, we decipher the molecular processes behind synergistic interactions between chemotherapy and HDAC inhibition. Moreover, we report novel mechanisms to overcome drug resistance in SCLC, which may be relevant to increase the therapeutic success.