
We have developed a Drosophila lung cancer model by targeting Ras1(G12V)--alone or in combination with PTEN knockdown--to the Drosophila tracheal system. This led to overproliferation of tracheal tissue, formation of tumor-like growths, and animal lethality. Screening a library of FDA-approved drugs identified several that improved overall animal survival. We explored two hits: the MEK inhibitor trametinib and the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor fluvastatin. Oral administration of these drugs inhibited Ras and PI3K pathway activity, respectively; in addition, fluvastatin inhibited protein prenylation downstream of HMG-CoA reductase to promote survival. Combining drugs led to synergistic suppression of tumor formation and rescue lethality; similar synergy was observed in human A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells. Notably, fluvastatin acted both within transformed cells and also to reduce whole-body trametinib toxicity in flies. Our work supports and provides further context for exploring the potential of combining statins with MAPK inhibitors such as trametinib to improve overall therapeutic index.
Indoles, Lung Neoplasms, QH301-705.5, Pyridones, fluvastatin, trachea, Antineoplastic Agents, Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated, IMP Dehydrogenase, Cell Line, Tumor, Animals, Drosophila Proteins, Humans, Biology (General), Fluvastatin, Protein Kinase Inhibitors, trametinib, PTEN Phosphohydrolase, Drug Synergism, Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic, Disease Models, Animal, Drug Combinations, Drosophila melanogaster, non-small-cell lung cancer, Drosophila, Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor, Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
Indoles, Lung Neoplasms, QH301-705.5, Pyridones, fluvastatin, trachea, Antineoplastic Agents, Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated, IMP Dehydrogenase, Cell Line, Tumor, Animals, Drosophila Proteins, Humans, Biology (General), Fluvastatin, Protein Kinase Inhibitors, trametinib, PTEN Phosphohydrolase, Drug Synergism, Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic, Disease Models, Animal, Drug Combinations, Drosophila melanogaster, non-small-cell lung cancer, Drosophila, Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor, Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
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