NVP-BEZ235, a dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, inhibits osteosarcoma cell proliferation and tumor development in vivo with an improved survival rate

Despite recent improvements in chemotherapy and surgery, the problem of non-response osteosarcoma to chemotherapy remains, and is a parameter that is critical for prognosis. The present work investigated the therapeutic value of NVP-BEZ235, a dual class I PI3K/mTOR inhibitor. NVP-BEZ235 inhibited osteosarcoma cell proliferation by inducing G0/G1 cell cycle arrest with no caspase activation. In murine pre-clinical models, NVP-BEZ235 significantly slowed down tumor progression and ectopic tumor bone formation with decreased numbers of Ki67+ cells and reduced tumor vasculature. Finally, NVP-BEZ235 considerably improved the survival rate of mice with osteosarcoma. Taken together, the results of the present work show that NVP-BEZ235 exhibits therapeutic interest in osteosarcoma and may be a promising adjuvant drug for bone sarcomas.