Gas6-Axl signaling in presence of Sunitinib is enhanced, diversified and sustained in renal tumor cells, resulting in tumor-progressive advantages

- Axl is constitutively activated in Sunitinib-treated CCRCC cells.
- Sunitinib increases and diversifies Gas6-Axl signaling.
- Sunitinib enhances Axl-dependent migration, sphere-formation and OPN secretion.
- Repopulation of CCRCC cells is dependent on Axl activity.
- Axl is a highly interesting drug target in CCRCC.

Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (CCRCC) is a lethal cancer with bad prognosis due to development of chemoresistance and recurrence of more aggressive tumors. Investigation of Gas6-mediated Axl signaling in CCRCC and endothelial cells reveals a Sunitinib resistant Gas6-Axl signaling that is sustained and enhanced and specifically triggers downstream AKT and PRAS40 activation in an intensified manner. Gas6-induced Axl signaling in presence of Sunitinib is also diversified displaying onset of Axl-dependent EGFR and METR activation and activation of classical MAPK pathways. Gas6+Sunitinib-adapted CCRCC cells present increased viability and decreased apoptosis and enhanced production of the multi-tumorigenic Osteopontin (OPN) and of one of its activator matrix metalloproteinase-7. Axl activity is necessary for CCRCC cell sphere formation and the ability of the cells to attach after non-adhesive growth. In addition, Gas6+Sunitinib-adapted CCRCC cells displayed enhanced migration and sphere formation, both mechanisms being Axl and OPN dependent. Altogether, this suggests that Sunitinib while targeting endothelial cells and tumor angiogenesis, simultaneously provides protumorigenic effects due to a constitutively, intensified and divergent Gas6-Axl system.ImplicationsGas6-mediated Axl signaling, which is enhanced and diversified in the presence of Sunitinib possibly contributes to acquired chemoresistance, recurrence of aggressive disease and metastasis of CCRCC tumors. Therefore, combinatorial Axl-targeted therapy might be beneficial for CCRCC patients intended for Sunitinib treatment.