Inhibition of farnesyltransferase induces regression of mammary and salivary carcinomas in ras transgenic mice (original) (raw)

Nature Medicine volume 1, pages 792–797 (1995)Cite this article

Abstract

For Ras oncoproteins to transform mammalian cells, they must be post-translationally modified with a farnesyl group in a reaction catalysed by the enzyme farnesyl-protein transferase (FPTase). Inhibitors of FPTase have therefore been proposed as anti-cancer agents. We show that L-744,832, which mimics the CaaX motif to which the farnesyl group is added, is a potent and selective inhibitor of FPTase. In MMTV-_v_-Ha-ras mice bearing palpable tumours, daily administration of L-744,832 caused tumour regression. Following cessation of treatment, tumours reappeared, the majority of which regressed upon retreatment. No systemic toxicity was found upon necropsy of L-744,832-treated mice. This first demonstration of anti-FPTase-mediated tumour regression suggests that FPTase inhibitors may be safe and effective anti-tumour agents in some cancers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cancer Research, Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania, 19486, USA
    Nancy E. Kohl, Charles A. Omer, Joseph P. Davide, Kelly Hamilton, Kenneth S. Koblan, Astrid M. Kral, Patricia J. Miller, Scott D. Mosser, Timothy J. O'Neill, Elaine Rands, Michael D. Schaber, Jackson B. Gibbs & Allen Oliff
  2. Department of Safety Assessment, Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania, 19486, USA
    Michael W. Conner
  3. Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania, 19486, USA
    Neville J. Anthony, S. Jane Desolms, Elizabeth A. Giuliani, Robert P. Gomez, Samuel L. Graham & George D. Hartman
  4. Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania, 19486, USA
    Laurence K. Handt

Authors

  1. Nancy E. Kohl
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  2. Charles A. Omer
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  3. Michael W. Conner
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  4. Neville J. Anthony
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  5. Joseph P. Davide
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  6. S. Jane Desolms
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  7. Elizabeth A. Giuliani
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  8. Robert P. Gomez
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  9. Samuel L. Graham
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  10. Kelly Hamilton
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  11. Laurence K. Handt
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  12. George D. Hartman
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  13. Kenneth S. Koblan
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  14. Astrid M. Kral
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  15. Patricia J. Miller
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  16. Scott D. Mosser
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  17. Timothy J. O'Neill
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  18. Elaine Rands
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  19. Michael D. Schaber
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  20. Jackson B. Gibbs
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  21. Allen Oliff
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Kohl, N., Omer, C., Conner, M. et al. Inhibition of farnesyltransferase induces regression of mammary and salivary carcinomas in ras transgenic mice.Nat Med 1, 792–797 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm0895-792

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