GL-V9 synergizes with oxaliplatin of colorectal cancer via Wee1 degradation mediated by HSP90 inhibition

Objectives GL-V9 exhibited anti-tumour effects on various types of tumours. This study aimed to verify if GL-V9 synergized with oxaliplatin in suppressing colorectal cancer (CRC) and to explore the synergistic mechanism. Methods The synergy effect was tested by MTT assays and the mechanism was examined by comet assay, western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Xenograft model was constructed to substantiated the synergy effect and its mechanism in vivo. Results GL-V9 was verified to enhance the DNA damage effect of oxaliplatin, so as to synergistically suppress colon cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. In HCT-116 cells, GL-V9 accelerated the degradation of Wee1 and induced the abrogation of cell cycle arrest and mis-entry into mitosis, bypassing the DNA damage response caused by oxaliplatin. Our findings suggested that GL-V9 binding to HSP90 was responsible for the degradation of Wee1 and the vulnerability of colon cancer cells to oxaliplatin. Functionally, overexpression of either HSP90 or WEE1 annulled the synergistic effect of GL-V9 and oxaliplatin. Conclusions Collectively, our findings revealed that GL-V9 synergized with oxaliplatin to suppress CRC and displayed a promising strategy to improve the efficacy of oxaliplatin.