The antitumour activity of 2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)-5-fluorobenzothiazole in human gastric cancer models is mediated by AhR signalling

Abstract

Stomach cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide. Identification of novel molecular therapeutic targets and development of novel treatments are critical. Against a panel of gastric carcinoma cell lines, the activity of 2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)-5-fluorobenzothiazole (5F 203) was investigated. Adopting RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemical techniques, we sought to determine molecular pharmacodynamic (PD) markers of sensitivity and investigate arylhydrocarbon (AhR) receptor-mediated signal transduction activation by 5F 203. Potent (IC50 ≤ 0.09 μmol/L), selective (>250-fold) in vitro antitumour activity was observed in MKN-45 and AGS carcinoma cells. Exposure of MKN-45 cells to 5F 203 triggered cytosolic AhR translocation to nuclei, inducing CYP1A1 (>50-fold) and CYP2W1 (~20-fold) transcription and protein (CYP1A1 and CYP2W1) expression. G2/M arrest and γH2AX expression preceded apoptosis, evidenced by PARP cleavage. In vivo, significant (P