Phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitors combined with imatinib in patient-derived xenograft models of gastrointestinal stromal tumors: rationale and efficacy.

INTRODUCTION The PI3K signaling pathway drives tumor cell proliferation and survival in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). We tested the in vivo efficacy of three PI3K inhibitors (PI3Ki) in patient-derived GIST xenograft models. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN One hundred and sixty-eight nude mice were grafted with human GIST carrying diverse KIT genotypes and PTEN genomic status. Animals were dosed orally for two weeks as follows: control group (untreated); imatinib (IMA); PI3Ki (BKM120-buparlisib, BEZ235, or BYL719) or combinations of imatinib with a PI3Ki. Western blotting, histopathology, and tumor volume evolution were used for the assessment of treatment efficacy. Furthermore, tumor regrowth was evaluated for three weeks after treatment cessation. RESULTS PI3Ki monotherapy showed a significant antitumor effect, reflected in tumor volume reduction or stabilization, inhibitory effects on mitotic activity, and PI3K signaling inhibition. The IMA+PI3Ki combination remarkably improved the efficacy of either single-agent treatment with more pronounced tumor volume reduction and enhanced proapoptotic effects over either single agent. Response to IMA+PI3Ki was found to depend on the KIT genotype and specific model-related molecular characteristics. CONCLUSION IMA+PI3Ki has significant antitumor efficacy in GIST xenografts as compared with single-agent treatment, resulting in more prominent tumor volume reduction and enhanced induction of apoptosis. Categorization of GIST based on KIT genotype and PI3K/PTEN genomic status combined with dose optimization is suggested for patient selection for clinical trials exploring such combinations.