IGF1R tyrosine kinase inhibitor enhances the cytotoxic effect of methyl jasmonate in endometrial cancer.

The present study evaluated the cytotoxic activity of methyl jasmonate (MJ) in endometrial cancer cells and examined the hypothesis that the apoptotic and anti-proliferative actions of MJ in these cell lines can be enhanced by co-targeting the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R) signaling pathway. MJ had a potent pro-apoptotic effect and exhibited significant toxicity in all cell lines tested. MJ in combination with NVP-AEW541, a selective IGF1R tyrosine kinase inhibitor, had significantly increased cytotoxicity. MJ decreased IGF1R phosphorylation, however, it enhanced AKT phosphorylation and abolished the anti-apoptotic effect of IGF1. These findings suggest that combined IGF1R inhibitor and MJ administration may constitute an attractive modality for treating endometrial cancer.