Downregulation of class II phosphoinositide 3-kinase PI3K-C2β delays cell division and potentiates the effect of docetaxel on cancer cell growth

Background Alteration of signalling pathways regulating cell cycle progression is a common feature of cancer cells. Several drugs targeting distinct phases of the cell cycle have been developed but the inability of many of them to discriminate between normal and cancer cells has strongly limited their clinical potential because of their reduced efficacy at the concentrations used to limit adverse side effects. Mechanisms of resistance have also been described, further affecting their efficacy. Identification of novel targets that can potentiate the effect of these drugs or overcome drug resistance can provide a useful strategy to exploit the anti-cancer properties of these agents to their fullest. Methods The class II PI3K isoform PI3K-C2 beta was downregulated in prostate cancer PC3 cells and cervical cancer HeLa cells using selective siRNAs and the effect on cell growth was determined in the absence or presence of the microtubule-stabilizing agent/anti-cancer drug docetaxel. Mitosis progression was monitored by time-lapse microscopy. Clonogenic assays were performed to determine the ability of PC3 and HeLa cells to form colonies upon PI3K-C2 beta downregulation in the absence or presence of docetaxel. Cell multi-nucleation was assessed by immunofluorescence. Tumour growth in vivo was assessed using a xenograft model of PC3 cells upon PI3K-C2 beta downregulation and in combination with docetaxel. Results Downregulation of PI3K-C2 beta delays mitosis progression in PC3 and HeLa cells, resulting in reduced ability to form colonies in clonogenic assays in vitro. Compared to control cells, PC3 cells lacking PI3K-C2 beta form smaller and more compact colonies in vitro and they form tumours more slowly in vivo in the first weeks after cells implant. Stable and transient PI3K-C2 beta downregulation potentiates the effect of low concentrations of docetaxel on cancer cell growth. Combination of PI3K-C2 beta downregulation and docetaxel almost completely prevents colonies formation in clonogenic assays in vitro and strongly inhibits tumour growth in vivo. Conclusions These data reveal a novel role for the class II PI3K PI3K-C2 beta during mitosis progression. Furthermore, data indicate that blockade of PI3K-C2 beta might represent a novel strategy to potentiate the effect of docetaxel on cancer cell growth.