Lestaurtinib Enhances the Antitumor Efficacy of Chemotherapy in Murine Xenograft Models of Neuroblastoma

Abstract

We show that lestaurtinib can inhibit the growth of neuroblastoma both in vitro and in vivo and can substantially enhance the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy, presumably by inhibition of the Trk/brain-derived neurotrophic factor autocrine survival pathway. It may also enhance the efficacy of selected biological agents, but further testing is required to rule out unanticipated toxicities. Our data support the incorporation of Trk inhibitors, such as lestaurtinib, in clinical trials of neuroblastoma or other tumors relying on Trk signaling pathways for survival.