The metabolism of temozolomide (TMZ) to form methyldiazonium ions and 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide (AICA) results in DNA damage, despite this, resistance frequently occurs in glioblastoma. Here, the authors demonstrate that AICA is further metabolised by HPRT1 into AICAR, which activates AMPK signalling and increases DNA damage repair. Targeting this axis in preclinical glioblastoma models sensitised tumours to TMZ.
- Jianxing Yin
- Xiefeng Wang
- Xu Qian
