The Expression of CD56 Is Frequently Accompanied with the Expression of Neuronal Cell Markers and Its Down-Regulation Is Induced by IL-6 in Human Myeloma Cells.

Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 3534-3534
Author(s):  
Mohd S. Iqbal ◽  
Ken-ichiro Otsuyama ◽  
Karim Shamsasenjan ◽  
Saeid Abroun ◽  
Jakia Amin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Culture ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Cell Lineage ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Myeloma Cell ◽  
Myeloma Cells ◽  
Cell Markers ◽  
Phenotypic Changes ◽  
Human Myeloma Cells

Abstract Human myeloma cells have the marked phenotypic heterogeneity of surface marker expressions, possibly because of loss of PAX-5 expression. Especially, ectopic expression of CD56, one of non-B cell lineage markers, is frequently detected on primary myeloma cells from more than 80% patients with overt myeloma. However, only 2 (NOP2 and AMO1) out of 10 myeloma cell lines were CD56(+). In primary myeloma cells as well as CD56(−) myeloma cell lines, the treatment with forskolin could induce the expression of CD56 in the in vitro culture. In most CD56(+) primary myeloma cells as well as myeloma cell lines, the expressions of neuronal cell markers such as neuron specific enolase (NSE), nestin, β-tubulin III or chromogranin A were found coincidentally. By gene expression profiling, CD56(+) myeloma cell lines showed the marked expressions of transcription factors involved in neuronal cell lineage. On the other hand, addition of IL-6 down-regulated the expression of CD56 in CD56(+) myeloma cell lines in the in vitro culture. In 13 out of 60 patients with overt myeloma, these myeloma cells showed CD56(−) and their values of plasma CRP were significantly increased and MPC-1(−)CD45(+) immature myeloma cells were also increased compared to those in CD56(+) myeloma cases. Therefore, these results indicate that the expression of CD56 is possibly due to phenotypic changes into neuronal cell lineage, and IL-6 can block these phenotypic changes, keeping PAX-5(−) myeloma cells being uncommitted cells to any lineage.

SDF-1 Is Responsible for the Constitutively High NF-kB Activity in Human Myeloma Cells.

Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 4737-4737
Author(s):  
Abul Islam ◽  
Ken-ichiro Otsuyama ◽  
Jakia Amin ◽  
Saeid Abroun ◽  
Karim Shamsasenjan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Lines ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Plasma Cells ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Myeloma Cell ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Myeloma Cells ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Human Myeloma Cells

Abstract The chemokine, stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1; CXCL12) and its receptor, CXCR4 are considered to be essentially required for plasma cell homing to the bone marrow (BM). It is well known that plasma cells in the BM (long-lived plasma cells) survive for a long time and have the constitutively high NF-kB activity. Since human myeloma cells are considered to be derived from these committed long-lived plasma cells, we investigated the role of SDF-1 on the survival of primary myeloma cells from myeloma patients and the possible relationship with NF-kB activity. First, we confirmed that all primary myeloma cells expressed CXCR4 but not CCR9 or CCR10 receptors on their surface and the levels of CXCR4 expression apparently correlated with maturity of BM plasma cells; mature myeloma cells (MPC-1+) as well as polyclonal plasma cells expressed higher levels of CXCR4 than those on immature myeloma cells (MPC-1-). The production of SDF-1 was found strongly in BM stromal cells but not in primary myeloma cells as well as myeloma cell lines. On the other hand, high DNA binding activity of NF-kB was constitutively detected in primary myeloma cells as well as myeloma cell lines, and these NF-kB activities significantly correlated with the expression levels of CD54 on their surface, for CD54 gene is one of the strict NF-kB target genes. Based on the expression levels of CD54 protein, interestingly, primary myeloma cells showed weaker NF-kB activities than those in monoclonal plasma cells from MGUS and polyclonal plasma cells from polyclonal gammopathy. Plasma concentrations of SDF-1 were also significantly correlated to the expression levels of CD54 on primary myeloma cells significantly (P<0.01). Furthermore, it was confirmed that addition of SDF-1 significantly increased the expression levels of CD54 in the in vitro culture of primary myeloma cells. Therefore, these results indicate that SDF-1 is responsible for high expression levels of CD54 and possibly the constitutively high NF-kB activity in primary myeloma cells.

IL-6-Induced C-MYC Down-Regulates the Expression of CD33 in CD33(+) Myeloma Cell Lines.

Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 2496-2496
Author(s):  
Karim Shamsasenjan ◽  
Ken-ichiro Otsuyama ◽  
Mohd S. Iqbal ◽  
Saeid Abroun ◽  
Jakia Amin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Cell Lineage ◽  
Myeloma Cell ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Down Regulation ◽  
Myeloma Cells ◽  
Lineage Markers

Abstract Since human myeloma cells specifically lose the expression of PAX-5 gene, the master gene of B cell lineage, we frequently detect the ectopic expressions of non-B cell lineage markers such as CD56 and CD33. As for the expression of CD33, we confirmed that CD33 expression was found in primary myeloma cells from about 12% of 120 cases with overt myeloma and also in 2 myeloma cell lines (ILKM8 and Liu01 (a subclone of U266)) in the protein and mRNA levels. In primary myeloma cells as well as CD33(–) myeloma cell lines, DMSO treatment could induce the expression of CD33 in the in vitro culture. In these CD33(+) myeloma cell lines and DMSO-induced myeloma cells, we found that expressions of C/EBPα and PU.1 were markedly increased by gene expression profiling. On the other hand, IL-6 down-regulated the expression of CD33 in CD33(+) myeloma cell lines accompanying with down-regulation of C/EBPα and PU.1 expressions. Also, we found that IL-6 up-regulated the expression of C-MYC and the increased C-MYC bound to the promoter region of C/EBPα gene followed by the down-regulation of C/EBPα expression. It was confirmed that introduction of sh-RNA for C-MYC to two CD33(+) myeloma cell lines blocked the IL-6-induced down-regulation of CD33 and C/EBPα expression. Therefore, these results indicate that IL-6 can reverse the ectopic expression of non-B cell lineage markers by up-regulating C-MYC followed by its down-regulation of C/EBPα expression and also suggest that constitutive activation of STAT3 by IL-6 may keep PAX-5(–) myeloma cells being uncommitted cells to any lineage; myeloma cells could be one of stem cell-like cancer cells.

Plasma Levels of SDF-1 and Expression of SDF-1 Receptor on Multiply Myeloma Cells of Human Multiply Myeloma.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 4874-4874
Author(s):  
Caixia Li ◽  
De Pei Wu ◽  
Junjie Cao ◽  
Xiaojin Wu ◽  
Xiao Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Myeloma Cell ◽  
Migration Ability ◽  
Myeloma Cells ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Cxcr4 Axis ◽  
Healthy Persons

Abstract Multiple myeloma(MM) is a monoclonal expansion of malignant cells with a plasmablast-plasma cell morphology that is almost exclusively localized to the bone marrow, except at the final stages of disease, when they proliferate in the extramedullary area. The mechanisms of the selective homing of MM cells to the bone marrow compartment are poorly understood. The chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and its receptor CXCR4 contribute to stem cell homing and play a role in trafficking of leukemic cells. In this study we have investigated expression and biological behavior of SDF-1/CXCR4 in MM-derived cell lines and primary MM cells. FACS and RT-PCR analysis was used to study the expression of CXCR4 and ICAM-1(CD54) on the surface of MM cells from 4 IL-6 dependant cell lines (XG1,XG2,XG6 and XG7) and 25 freshly isolated tumor samples from patients with diagnosed MM. Mononuclear cells were purified by positive selection of magnetical and FACS sorting. Chemotaxis assay through transwell bore polycaronate and ELISA assay were employed to monitor the SDF-1, IL-6, and sICAM-1 levels. We found that[circ1]Fresh MM cells and MM cell lines expressed various levels of functional CXCR4 ranging from 23.1% to 77.7%,which was correlated with the in vitro migration ability of MM cells[(23.2±1.08)%, P<0.01]; [circ2]SDF-1 levels in the bone marrow(BM) of MM patients were significantly higher than the those of healthy persons (3489.23±651.63)pg/ml, (2818.57±597.79)pg/ml, P<0.05; but plasma levels of SDF-1 in peripheral blood of MM patients were lower than those of healthy persons[(1973±133)pg/ml, (2334.857±574.92), P=0.062]; [circ3]Plasma levels of PCL(4097.14±680.71) were significantly higher than those of healthy persons, P<0.01. The results firstly demonstrated abnormal expression of SDF-1 and its receptor CXCR4 on Human MM cells, which is closely correlated with the migration of MM cells. Furthermore, we discovered that SDF-1 could up-regulate the expression of ICAM-1 on MM cells; the plasma level of soluble ICAM-1 was correlated with the expression of CXCR4 on MM cells. These findings suggested that SDF-1/CXCR4 axis play a key role on the trafficking of MM cells via mediating the effect of adhesion molecules. Moreover, we observed higher plasma levels of IL-6 in PB of 60% MM patients compared with those of healthy individuals. Finally, the levels of IL-6 were closely correlated with SDF-1 levels (γ=0.8, P<0.01), These data indicated that in the IL-6-dependent myeloma cell lines or fresh myeloma samples and myeloma cell growth triggered by SDF-1 maybe due to up-regulation of autocrine and paracrine IL-6 by myeloma cells and stromal cells in BM. The results suggested that the expression of CXCR4 have an essential role in the proliferation and migration of myeloma cells in patients with multiple myeloma.In conclusion, MM cells expressed various levels of functional CXCR4, which were correlated with the migration ability of MM cells in vitro; SDF-1/CXCR4 axis plays a key role in the trafficking of MM cells via mediating the effect of adhesion molecules; The plasma levels of IL-6 closely correlated with SDF-1 plasma levels, myeloma cell growth triggered by SDF-1 may be due to up-regulation of autocrine and paracrine IL-6 by myeloma cells and stromal cells in BM. All these suggested that the expression of CXCR4 play an essential role in the proliferation and migration of myeloma cells in patients with multiple myeloma.

The CXCR4 Antagonist AMD3100 Stimulates the Proliferation of Myeloma Cells.

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 1701-1701
Author(s):  
Ha-Yon Kim ◽  
Seong-Woo Kim ◽  
Hyo-Jin Lee ◽  
Hwan-Jung Yun ◽  
Samyong Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Partial Agonist ◽  
Serum Deprivation ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Myeloma Cells ◽  
Spontaneous Proliferation ◽  
Human Myeloma Cells

Abstract AMD3100, an antagonist of the chemokine receptor CXCR4, is about to be used clinically for the peripheral mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells, especially in patients with lymphoma and multiple myeloma. However, AMD3100 has been shown to activate a G protein coupled with CXCR4 and thus acts as a partial CXCR4 agonist in vitro. Although stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) alone has minimal or negligible effects on the growth and survival of myeloma cells in vitro, many reports are consistent with the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis being involved in the progression of myeloma. Therefore, it is necessary to address the question of whether AMD3100 functions as a partial agonist for CXCR4 in myeloma cells, before it is released for wide clinical application. In this study, we explored whether AMD3100 affects the proliferation and survival of myeloma cells in vitro. As demonstrated previously, AMD3100 markedly inhibited the SDF-1 induced chemotaxis of myeloma cells, including three cell lines (RPMI8226, U266, and ARH77 cells), and CD138+ primary human myeloma cells. AMD3100 also induced internalization of CXCR4. SDF-1 alone did not stimulate the proliferation of these myeloma cells, nor did it rescue the cells from apoptosis induced by serum deprivation. By contrast, AMD3100 at 10−5M enhanced the proliferation of all three myeloma cell lines in serum-free condition by up to 2-folds in 3-day cultures, which was abrogated by pretreating the cells with pertussis toxin (PTX). This phenomenon was also observed with CD138+ primary human myeloma cells. In addition, AMD3100 enhanced the proliferation of U266 and ARH77 cells induced by interleukin-6 (IL-6). AMD3100 partially inhibited the apoptosis induced by serum deprivation, and the anti-apoptotic effect of AMD3100 was further enhanced in the presence of IL-6. AMD3100 on its own induced the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2 but not Stat3 and p38/MAPK in RPMI8226 and U266 cells. The phosphorylation was also inhibited by pretreating the cells with PTX. The signal blocking agents wortmannin, PD98056, SB203580, and rapamycin did not affect the AMD3100-induced proliferation of RPMI8226 cells. LY294002 at concentrations not inhibiting spontaneous proliferation (5 μM or less) did not affect AMD3100-induced proliferation of the cells. AG490 inhibited spontaneous proliferation and AMD3100-induced proliferation of the cells in a dose-dependent manner. Accordingly, the signal-blocking effects were unclear. However, these results show that AMD3100 partially overcame the strong growth inhibition of myeloma cells induced by AG490. Our results indicate that AMD3100 can induce the phosphorylation of signaling molecules and stimulate the proliferation of myeloma cells, through signaling via G-protein pathway.

MYC Responsible for down-Regulation of CD33 Expression in Human Myeloma Cells

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 5116-5116
Author(s):  
Karim Shamsasenjan ◽  
Ken-ichiro Otsuyama ◽  
Mohd S. Iqbal ◽  
Maged S. Mahmoud ◽  
Michio M. Kawano
Keyword(s):  
Cell Line ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Myeloma Cell ◽  
Myeloma Cell Line ◽  
Down Regulation ◽  
Myeloma Cells ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Stat3 Phosphorylation ◽  
Serum Crp ◽  
Human Myeloma Cells

Abstract Human myeloma cells from about 10% of cases with multiple myeloma expressed CD33 and have monocytoid morphology with convoluted nuclei, and all these patients had no increase in serum CRP values. In CD33(+) myeloma cells as well as myeloma cell lines, CD33 expression levels were correlated with the increased expression levels of CEBPA (C/EBPα) gene. This correlation was confirmed by the finding that transfection with the CEBPA gene induced CD33 expression in a CD33(−) myeloma cell line. As suggested by the lack of an increase in serum CRP values in CD33(+) myelomas, IL-6 down-regulated the expression of CD33 in CD33(+) myeloma cell lines along with the down-regulation of CEBPA gene expression. Cucurbitacin I (STAT3 inhibitor) but not U0126 (MAPK inhibitor) could abolish the effect of IL-6. Furthermore, IL-6 up-regulated the expression of MYC via STAT3 phosphorylation and MYC bound to the promoter region of CEBPA gene followed by the down-regulation of the CEBPA expression. It was confirmed that introduction of shRNA for MYC into a CD33(+) myeloma cell line blocked the IL6-induced down-regulation of CD33 and CEBPA expression. Therefore, these results indicate that IL-6 can reverse the expression level of CD33 by up-regulating MYC followed by the down-regulation of CEBPA expression.

Inhibition of HIF1A Signaling by a Novel Class of Sulfonanilides for Targeted Treatment of Multiple Myeloma.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 2856-2856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Hose ◽  
Anja Seckinger ◽  
Hartmut Goldschmidt ◽  
Tobias Meiβner ◽  
Blanka Rebacz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Chromosomal Aberrations ◽  
Myeloma Cell ◽  
Proliferation Index ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Myeloma Cells ◽  
Signaling Inhibitors ◽  
Exposure Levels

Abstract Abstract 2856 Poster Board II-832 BACKGROUND. Molecular profiling of multiple myeloma allows the identification of novel targets, including HIF1A, and evaluation of their expression within large cohorts of patients. We report here the expression of HIF1A in myeloma and for the first time the preclinical testing of 4 members of a novel class of sulfonanilide HIF1A signaling inhibitors. PATIENTS AND METHODS. Expression of HIF1A was assessed using Affymetrix DNA-microarrays in 329 samples of CD138-purified myeloma cells from previously untreated patients. Chromosomal aberrations were assessed by comprehensive iFISH using a set of probes for the chromosomal regions 1q21, 6q21, 8p21, 9q34, 11q23, 11q13, 13q14.3, 14q32, 15q22, 17p13, 19q13, 22q11, as well as the translocations t(4;14)(p16.3;q32.3) and t(11;14)(q13;q32.3). Proliferation of primary myeloma cells (n=67) was determined by propidium iodine staining. The effect of the novel HIF1A signaling inhibitors ELR510490, ELR510454, ELR510444 and ELR105813 on the proliferation of 12 human myeloma cell lines and the first three on the survival of 5 primary myeloma cell-samples cultured within their microenvironment was tested, and their ability to inhibit HIF1A signaling was examined using a cell-based reporter assay. Studies were also conducted to determine in vitro stability (in plasma and microsomes), as well as single-dose PK (SDPK) parameters and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) levels after dosing in mice. RESULTS. We found (i) HIF1A to be expressed by 95.4% of CD138-purified primary myeloma cell samples from previously untreated patients. (ii) HIF1A expression shows a weak but significant correlation (r=0.3, p<0.001) with a gene expression based proliferation index. (iii) Of the chromosomal aberrations tested, myeloma cells of patients with presence of a translocation t(4,14) show a significantly higher expression of HIF1A (p<0.001) vs. patients without. Myeloma cells of hyperdiploid patients show a significantly lower expression of HIF1A (p=0.02) vs. non hyperdiploid patients. (iii) HIF1A expression does not show a correlation with event-free or overall survival. (iv) The sulfonanilides ELR510490, ELR510444, ELR510454 and ELR105813 completely inhibit proliferation of all tested myeloma cell lines at nM concentrations. (v) The compounds tested, i.e. ELR510490, ELR510444, ELR510454, are active on all primary myeloma cell-samples tested. (vi) The compounds show a pronounced effect on the HIF1A signaling pathway at EC50s of 1-25nM. (vii) Pre-clinical pharmacology data for the compounds ELR510444 and ELR510490 in mice indicate favorable absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) profiles as well as exposure levels upon dosing at well-tolerated levels that are significantly above the in vitro EC50 in all the cell lines tested. CONCLUSION. HIF1A is expressed in almost all primary myeloma cells. The novel HIF1A signaling inhibitors tested are very active on myeloma cell lines as well as primary myeloma cells and show favorable in vivo profiles with exposure levels in mice significantly higher than the concentrations required for the inhibition of cell proliferation or apoptosis induction in vitro. This class of compounds thus represents a promising weapon in the therapeutic arsenal against multiple myeloma. Disclosures: Rebacz: ELARA Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Lewis:ELARA Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Schultes:ELARA Pharmaceuticals: Employment.

A gp130 Interleukin-6 Transducer-Dependent SCID Model of Human Multiple Myeloma

Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 91 (12) ◽  
pp. 4727-4737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cosette Rebouissou ◽  
John Wijdenes ◽  
Patrick Autissier ◽  
Karin Tarte ◽  
Valerie Costes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Interleukin 6 ◽  
Myeloma Cell ◽  
Scid Mice ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Myeloma Cells ◽  
Tumoral Cells ◽  
Human Myeloma Cells

Agonist antihuman gp130 transducer monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) were used in SCID mice to grow myeloma cells whose survival and proliferation is dependent on gp130 transducer activation. The agonist anti-gp130 MoAbs neither bound to murine gp130 nor activated murine cells and, as a consequence, did not induce interleukin-6 (IL-6)–related toxicities in mice. They have a 2-week half-life in vivo when injected in the peritoneum. The agonist antibodies made possible the in vivo growth of exogenous IL-6–dependent human myeloma cells as well as that of freshly explanted myeloma cells from 1 patient with secondary plasma cell leukemia. Tumors occurred 4 to 10 weeks after myeloma cell graft and weighed 3 to 5 g. They grew as solid tumors in the peritoneal cavity and metastasized to the different peritoneal organs: liver, pancreas, spleen, and intestine. Tumoral cells were detected in blood and bone marrow of mice grafted with the XG-2 myeloma cells. Tumoral cells grown in SCID mice had kept the phenotypic characteristics of the original tumoral cells and their in vitro growth required the presence of IL-6 or agonist anti-gp130 MoAbs. Myeloma cells from 4 patients with medullary involvement persisted for more than 1 year as judged by detectable circulating human Ig. However, no tumors were detected, suggesting a long-term survival of human myeloma cells without major proliferation. These observations paralleled those made in in vitro cultures as well as the tumor growth pattern in these patients. This gp130 transducer-dependent SCID model of multiple myeloma should be useful to study various therapeutical approaches in multiple myeloma in vivo.

Mcl-1 Is Overexpressed in Multiple Myeloma and Correlates with Disease Severity.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 1419-1419
Author(s):  
Soraya Wuilleme-Toumi ◽  
Nelly Robillard ◽  
Patricia Gomez-Bougie ◽  
Philippe Moreau ◽  
Steven Le Gouill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Plasma Cells ◽  
Myeloma Cell ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Myeloma Cells

Abstract Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a fatal malignancy of B-cell origin characterized by the accumulation of plasma cells within the bone marrow. The expression of the pro-survival members of the Bcl-2 family has been shown to be a key process in the survival of myeloma cells. More particularly, Mcl-1 expression turned out to be critical for their survival. Indeed, knockdown of Mcl-1 by antisenses induces apoptosis in myeloma cells. Finally, Mcl-1 was found to be the only anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member which level of expression was modified by cytokine treatment of myeloma cells. For these reasons, we have evaluated the expression of Mcl-1 in vivo in normal, reactive and malignant plasma cells (PC) i.e., myeloma cells from 55 patients with MM and 20 human myeloma cell lines using flow cytometry. We show that Mcl-1 is overexpressed in MM in comparison with normal bone marrow PC. Forty-seven percent of patients with MM at diagnosis (p=.017) and 80% at relapse (p=.014 for comparison with diagnosis) overexpress Mcl-1. Of note, only myeloma cell lines but not reactive plasmocytoses have abnormal Mcl-1 expression, although both plasmocyte expansion entities share similar high proliferation rates (&gt;20%). Of interest, Bcl-2 as opposed to Mcl-1, does not discriminate malignant from normal PC. This shows that the overexpression of Mcl-1 is clearly related to malignancy rather than to proliferation. It will be important to know whether the overexpression of Mcl-1 is related to an abnormal response to cytokines like Interleukin-6 or to mutations of the promoter of the Mcl-1 gene as already described in B chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Finally, level of Mcl-1 expression is related to disease severity, the highest values being correlated with the shortest event-free survival (p=.01). In conclusion, Mcl-1 which has been shown to be essential for the survival of human myeloma cells in vitro is overexpressed in vivo in MM and correlates with disease severity. Mcl-1 represents a major therapeutical target in MM.

Anti-Myeloma Activity of Two Novel N-Substituted and Tetraflourinated Thalidomide Analogues.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 2406-2406
Author(s):  
Shaji Kumar ◽  
Noopur Raje ◽  
Teru Hideshima ◽  
Kenji Ishitsuka ◽  
Aldo Roccaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Myeloma Cell ◽  
Clinical Activity ◽  
Significant Activity ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Inhibition Of Proliferation ◽  
Myeloma Cells

Abstract The importance of bone marrow angiogenesis in multiple myeloma (MM) provided the initial rationale for using thalidomide in this disease, given its anti-angiogenic properties. Thalidomide (α-N-[phthalimido] glutarimide, C 13 H 10 N 2 O 4), a glutamic acid derivative, has proved useful in the treatment of both newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory MM, however, its potential for teratogenicity lays a huge burden on its use as a therapeutic agent. Ongoing efforts have been directed towards development of analogues, which retain anti-MM activity without teratogenic effects. A product of cytochrome P450 2C19 isozyme biotransformation of thalidomide, 5′-OH-thalidomide, has been shown to be partly responsible for the anti-angiogenic effect of thalidomide. Based on the structure of this metabolite several N-substituted and tetraflourinated thalidomide analogues have been synthesized as potential anti-angiogenic agents and have shown pre-clinical activity in prostate cancer. In this study, we demonstrate potent anti-MM activity and delineate potential mechanisms of two such compounds, CPS11 (an N-substituted thalidomide) and CPS49 (a tetraflourinated thalidomide). Both CPS11 and CPS49 showed inhibition of proliferation of several MM cell lines as well as primary tumor cells from relapsed/refractory MM patients. These drugs had significant activity in myeloma cell lines resistant to conventional chemotherapy agents (dexamethasone, adriamycin, mitoxantrone and melphalan). Both the drugs were able to overcome the protective effects of growth factors like IL-6, IGF-1, and VEGF, and co-culture with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), demonstrating their activity against myeloma cells in conditions simulating the natural microenvironment. In most of the cytotoxicity experiments, CPS49 was more potent compared to CPS11. An additive cytotoxic effect was noted when these agents were combined with dexamethasone and melphalan. Apoptosis was noted in MM1.S cells as evidenced by annexin and PI staining and a time- and dose-dependent increase in cleavage of poly ADP-ribosepolymerase (PARP) and caspase-8. Additionally, Z-VAD-FMK partially blocked these effects. Importantly, apoptosis triggered by these drugs was associated with down-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins like Mcl1 and XIAP. In matrigel based angiogenesis assays both drugs demonstrated anti-angiogenic activity, CPS49 being more potent than CPS11. To further delineate their molecular mechanism of actions, we evaluated the effect of these drugs on various intracellular signaling pathways known to be important in myeloma. Both the drugs were able inhibit the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT pathways in MM1.S myeloma cells line. These encouraging in vitro data will provide the platform for testing these analogues initially in animal models and subsequently in the clinic.

AT-101, a Small Molecule Inhibitor of Bcl-2 Family Proteins, Has Significant In Vitro Activity in Multiple Myeloma.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 1581-1581
Author(s):  
Shaji Kumar ◽  
Michael Kline ◽  
Terry Kimlinger ◽  
Michael Timm ◽  
Jessica Haug ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Myeloma Cell ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Myeloma Cells ◽  
Molecule Inhibitor ◽  
Apoptotic Proteins

Abstract Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell proliferative disorder that results in considerable morbidity and mortality. As it is incurable with the current therapeutic approaches, more effective therapies based on better understanding of the pathobiology of the disease are needed. In MM, malignant plasma cells are characterized by low proliferative and apoptotic rates compared to other malignancies. Studies have shown elevated expression of anti-apoptotic proteins of the Bcl-2 family in MM cells, which appear to correlate with resistance to therapy with certain drugs. Hence, accelerating the apoptotic process by targeting the Bcl-2 family of proteins appears to be an attractive strategy for the treatment of MM. AT-101 is an orally bioavailable derivative of gossypol in cancer clinical trials, and is being developed by Ascenta Therapeutics. AT-101 behaves as a small molecule inhibitor of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL, binding to the BH3-binding pocket of these proteins and inhibiting their ability to suppress the activity of pro-apoptotic proteins, resulting in apoptosis. Methods and Results: AT-101 was cytotoxic to several different myeloma cell lines with a median effect observed at around 5μM concentration using an MTT cell proliferation assay. Additionally, at similar doses AT-101 induced cytotoxicity in myeloma cell lines resistant to conventional agents such as Melphalan (LR50), Doxorubicin (Dox40) and Dexamethasone (MM1.R), indicating non-overlapping mechanisms. To evaluate the ability of the drug to induce cell death in the tumor microenvironment, MM cells were co-cultured with marrow stromal cells or in the presence of VEGF or IL-6, two cytokines known to be important for myeloma growth and survival. AT-101 was cytotoxic to myeloma cells under these conditions as well with a median effect at concentrations of 5–10μM. AT-101 was able to induce apoptosis in myeloma cells in a dose- and time dependent fashion, as demonstrated by flow cytometry using Annexin/PI staining as well as cell cycle studies. AT-101 also resulted in cytotoxicity of freshly isolated primary patient myeloma cells, inducing apoptosis in a dose dependent manner. We also studied the effect of AT-101 on levels of different pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins using flow cytometry on permeabilized cells. A time-dependent increase in the level of BAX was observed following treatment with AT-101 without any associated change in levels of Bcl-xL or Bcl-2. Further studies evaluating the combination of AT101 with other active myeloma agents as well as a detailed evaluation of its mechanisms in myeloma are ongoing. Conclusion: AT-101 has significant activity in vitro in the setting of myeloma as demonstrated by its effect on myeloma cell lines and primary patient cells. More importantly, it has activity against cell lines resistant to conventional anti-myeloma agents. In addition, Phase I studies with this agent are currently ongoing in patients with solid tumors. The results from these studies form the rationale for early phase clinical trials in MM, either alone or in combination with other active therapies.

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