Biological Activity
Volasertib is a highly potent Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) inhibitor with an IC50 of 0.87 nM, as well as the two closely related kinases PLK2 and PLK3 with IC50s of 5 and 56 nM, respectively.
In Vitro
Volasertib is potent against HeLa and Caski cells with IC50 values of 0.02 μM and 2.02 μM, respectively. Volasertib (0.03 μM) induces cell cycle arrest at G2/M Phase in cervical cancer cells. Volasertib (0.003-0.03 μM) induces apoptosis in HeLa cells, and Volasertib (0.3-3 μM) results in Caski cell apoptosis. Volasertib (1, 3 μM or 0.01,0.03 μM) augments the fluorescent intensity of DHE in Caski and HeLa cells in a dose-dependent manner[1]. Volasertib shows inhibitory activities against the proliferation of all 40 cell lines tested, with a mean half-maximal growth inhibitory concentration of 313 nM (range: 4-5000 nM)[2]. Volasertib inhibits proliferation of multiple cell lines derived from various cancer tissues, including carcinomas of the colon (HCT 116, EC50=23 nM) and lung (NCI-H460, EC50=21 nM), melanoma (BRO, EC50=11 nM), and hematopoietic cancers (GRANTA-519, EC50=15 nM; HL-60, EC50=32 nM; THP-1, EC50=36 nM and Raji, EC50=37 nM) with EC50 values of 11 to 37 nM. Volasertib (100 nM) causes G2-M arrest and induces apoptosis in NCI-H460 cells[3].
In Vivo
Volasertib (15 mg/kg, i.p.) potentiates the activity of cisplatin to inhibit xenograft tumor growth of cervical cancer cells in nude mice[1]. Volasertib (70 mg/kg, p.o. once a week or 10 mg/kg, p.o. daily) significantly delays tumor growth in a non-small cell lung carcinoma xenograft model. In addition, Volasertib (15 mg/kg, i.v.) markedly suppresses tumor growth and is well tolerated[3].
References & source
Published experimental findings depend on the model and assay conditions. They do not guarantee equivalent performance in every application. For laboratory research use only.