Alisertib (MLN8237)

2 years -80 in solvent

Orally

MM1.S, MM.1R, LR5, RPMI 8226, DOX40, OPM1, OPM2, INA6, and U266

Dissolved in DMSO, final concentrations ca.10 uM

Formulated in 10% 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin/1% sodium bicarbonate

MLN8237 shows >200-fold higher selectivity for Aurora A than the structurally related Aurora B with an IC50 of 396.5 nM, and does not have any significant activity against 205 other kinases. [1] MLN8237 (0.5 uM) treatment inhibits the phosphorylation of Aurora A in MM1.S and OPM1 cells, without affecting the Aurora B mediated histone H3 phosphorylation. MLN8237 significantly inhibits cell proliferation in multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines with IC50 values of 0.003-1.71 uM. MLN8237 displays more potent anti-proliferation activity against primary MM cells and MM cell lines in the presence of BM stroma cells, as well as IL-6 and IGF-1 than against MM cells alone. MLN8237 (0.5 uM) induces 2- to 6-fold increase in G2/M phase in primary MM cells and cell lines, as well as significant apoptosis and senescence, involving the up-regulation of p53, p21 and p27, as well as PARP, caspase 3, and caspase 9 cleavage. In addition, MLN8237 shows strong synergistic anti-MM effect with dexamethasone, as well as additive effect with doxorubicin and bortezomib. [2] MLN8237 (0.5 uM) treatment causes the inhibition of colony formation of FLO-1, OE19, and OE33 esophageal adenocarinoma cell lines, and induces a significant increase in the percentage of polyploid cells, and subsequently an increase in the percentage of cells in the sub-G1 phase, which can be further enhanced in combination with cisplatin (2.5 uM), involving the higher induction of TAp73beta, PUMA, NOXA, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved PARP as compared with a single-agent treatment. [3]

24, 48, and 72 hours

Cells are exposed to various concentrations of MLN8237 for 24, 48, and 72 hours. Cells viability is measured using MTT assay, and cell proliferation is measured using 3[H]-thymidine incorporation. For cell cycle analysis, cells are permeabilized by 70% ethanol at -20 C, and incubated with 50 ug/mL PI and 20 units/mL RNase-A. DNA content is analyzed by flow cytometry using BDFACS-Canto II and FlowJo software. For the detection of apoptosis and senescence, cells are stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate-annexin V and PI. Apoptotic cells are determined by flow cytometric analysis using BDFACS-Canto II and FlowJo software.

Alisertib (MLN8237) is a selective Aurora A inhibitor with IC50 of 1.2 nM in a cell-free assay. It has >200-fold higher selectivity for Aurora A than Aurora B. Alisertib induces cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and autophagy. Phase 3.

First orally available inhibitor of Aurora A