Abstract 2799: New-generation glucose transporter inhibitors targeting non-small cell lung cancer and triple-negative breast cancer

Abstract Cancer is a top killer second only to cardiovascular diseases. Cellular metabolic reprogramming and altered energetics are key features of cancer. Opportunistic uptake of extracellular nutrients has recently been named as an emerging hallmark of cancer metabolism. Glucose is a key nutrient taken in by cancer cells to meet their high energy and biosynthesis needs. Drastic upregulation of glucose uptake and glycolytic activity, a phenomenon called the Warburg effect, is prevalent in most cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Cancer cells overexpress specific glucose transporters (GLUTs), particularly GLUT1, on their membranes to transport glucose via facilitated diffusion. Considering the addiction of cancer cells for glucose and their sensitivity and vulnerability to changes in glucose supply, GLUTs, especially GLUT1, have been recognized as an attractive anticancer target. We previously reported the identification of first-generation lead GLUT1 inhibitor WZB117. WZB117 treatment of human NSCLC A549 cells resulted in inhibition of glucose uptake, glycolysis and induction of apoptosis and necrosis (1). In addition, WZB-117 reduced tumor growth by more than 70% in an A549 tumor mouse model (1). Through a structure activity relationship (SAR) study of WZB117, a second-generation lead, DRB18, has been identified. DRB-18 is much more stable and 5 to 10 times more potent than WZB117 in inhibiting growth and proliferation in more than 90% of the 60 different cancer cell lines in 9 major cancer types as revealed by NCI-60 screenings. The compound shows particularly higher potency against cell lines with more metastatic potential such as HOP92 (NSCLC) and MDA-MB-231 (TNBC) with IC50 values in high nM range. DRB-18 also demonstrates a favorable liver microsomal metabolic profile and a maximal tolerance dose (MTD). All these indicate that DRB-18 is a potential therapeutic candidate for treating NSCLC and TNBC. Reference: 1. Liu Y, Cao Y, Zhang W, et al. A small-molecule inhibitor of glucose transporter 1 downregulates glycolysis, induces cell-cycle arrest, and inhibits cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Mol Cancer Ther 2012;11(8):1672-82. Citation Format: Pratik Shriwas, Yanrong Qian, Xuan Wang, Dennis Roberts, Stephen Bergmeier, Xiaozhuo Chen. New-generation glucose transporter inhibitors targeting non-small cell lung cancer and triple-negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2799.