Cannabidiol converts NF(κ)B into a tumor suppressor in glioblastoma with defined antioxidative properties
Authors
- M.N.M. Volmar
- J. Cheng
- H. Alenezi
- S. Richter
- A. Haug
- Z. Hassan
- M. Goldberg
- Y. Li
- M. Hou
- C. Herold-Mende
- C.L. Maire
- K. Lamszus
- C. Flüh
- J. Held-Feindt
- G. Gargiulo
- G.J. Topping
- F. Schilling
- D. Saur
- G. Schneider
- M. Synowitz
- J.A. Schick
- R.E. Kälin
- R. Glass
Journal
- Neuro-Oncology
Citation
- Neuro Oncol 23 (11): 1898-1910
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The transcription factor NF(κ)B drives neoplastic progression of many cancers including primary brain tumors (glioblastoma; GBM). Precise therapeutic modulation of NF(κ)B activity can suppress central oncogenic signalling pathways in GBM, but clinically applicable compounds to achieve this goal have remained elusive. METHODS: In a pharmacogenomics study with a panel of transgenic glioma cells we observed that NF(κ)B can be converted into a tumor suppressor by the non-psychotropic cannabinoid Cannabidiol (CBD). Subsequently, we investigated the anti-tumor effects of CBD, which is used as an anticonvulsive drug (Epidiolex) in pediatric neurology, in a larger set of human primary GBM stem-like cells (hGSC). For this study we performed pharmacological assays, gene expression profiling, biochemical and cell-biological experiments. We validated our findings using orthotopic in vivo models and bioinformatics analysis of human GBM-datasets. RESULTS: We found that CBD promotes DNA binding of the NF(κ)B subunit RELA and simultaneously prevents RELA-phosphorylation on serine-311, a key residue which permits genetic transactivation. Strikingly, sustained DNA binding by RELA lacking phospho-serine 311 was found to mediate hGSC cytotoxicity. Widespread sensitivity to CBD was observed in a cohort of hGSC defined by low levels of reactive oxygen-species (ROS), while high ROS-content in other tumors blocked CBD induced hGSC death. Consequently, ROS levels served as predictive biomarker for CBD-sensitive tumors. CONCLUSIONS: This evidence demonstrates how a clinically approved drug can convert NF(κ)B into a tumor suppressor and suggests a promising repurposing option for GBM-therapy.