Antitumor Activity of Radiation Therapy Combined with Checkpoint Kinase Inhibition in SHH/p53-Mutated Human Medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma (MB) is one of the most common malignant pediatric brain tumors. Current therapy results in a poor prognosis for high-risk SHH/<i>p53</i>-mutated MB, emphasizing the importance of more effective therapeutic strategies. Here, we investigated the potential radiosensitizing effects of the checkpoint kinase inhibitors (Chk-is) prexasertib (Chk1/2) and SAR-020106 (Chk1) in human SHH/<i>p53</i>-mutated MB in vitro and in vivo. UW228 and DAOY cells were treated with Chk-is and irradiation (RT). Metabolic activity, proliferation, and apoptosis were determined at d3, and long-term clonogenicity was determined at d14. DNA damage was assessed after 1, 24, and 72 h. Patient-derived SHH/<i>p53</i>-mutated, luciferase-transfected MB cells were implanted orthotopically into NSG mice (d0). Fractionated therapy (daily, d7-11) was applied. Body weight (BW) was documented daily, tumor growth weekly, and proliferation at d42. In vitro, Chk-is exhibited a dose-dependent reduction in metabolic activity, proliferation, and clonogenicity and increased apoptosis. A combination of Chk-is with RT enhanced these antitumor effects, including proliferation, apoptosis, and clonogenicity, and increased residual DNA damage compared to RT alone. In vivo, tumor growth was delayed by Chk-is alone. Low-dose prexasertib enhanced RT-induced tumor growth inhibition. High-dose prexasertib and SAR-020106 showed opposite effects, at least at later time points (<i>n</i> = 3). BW assessments revealed that the treatment was well tolerated. Our data indicate a potential benefit of Chk-is in combination with RT in SHH/<i>p53</i>-mutated MB. However, high-dose Chk-is may compromise the RT effect, possibly through anti-proliferative activity. Furthermore, we demonstrate, for the first time, the intracranial antitumor activity of the Chk1-specific inhibitor SAR-020106.