The Hsp90 Inhibitor SNX7081 Restores the Fludarabine Sensitivity of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Cells Harbouring Mutations of ATM or TP53

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 2473-2473
Author(s):  
O. Giles Best ◽  
Stephen P Mulligan

Abstract Abstract 2473 Introduction: Resistance to fludarabine-based treatment represents a challenge in the clinical management of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). Despite the unprecedented response rates seen with the fludarabine (F), cyclophosphamide (C), Rituximab (R) regimen novel treatment strategies are required that do not rely on an intact p53 signaling pathway. We recently described the activity of a novel, synthetic inhibitor of the molecular chaperone, heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90) named SNX7081 (Serenex, now Pfizer) against CLL cells in vitro (Best et al., 2010 BJH). Here we explored the effect of this inhibitor on the fludarabine sensitivity of 3 haematological cell lines and 12 patient samples with mutations of ATM or TP53. Methods: Mononuclear cells were isolated by density centrifugation from CLL patients following informed consent. The 13 patient samples selected for study were determined to have mutations of either ATM or TP53 using a functional assay described in detail elsewhere (Best et al., 2008). The Mec1 (CLL), Mec2 (CLL) and U266 (B-ALL) cell lines were maintained under standard conditions in RPMI-1640 with 2mM L-glut and 1% pen/strep. Sensitivity to fludarabine, with and without SNX7081, was assessed using the MTT (3–4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. Synergy between the agents, activation of caspase-3 and the induction of double stranded DNA (dsDNA) breaks following treatment were all assessed by flow cytometry using the mitochondrial membrane potential dye DilC1 (5) and propidium iodide (PI) or appropriate antibodies. Results: The IC50 for fludarabine was significantly higher in the 3 cell lines and 13 patient samples with ATM/TP53 lesions than in 4 cell lines or 10 patient samples defined as ATM/TP53 wild-type. Simultaneous exposure to a combination of fludarabine and SNX7081 at a ratio based on the IC50 of the compounds as single agent significantly reduced the IC50 for fludarabine (P<0.01); in 11 patient samples the IC50 for fludarabine was reduced to within a clinically achievable range (<5μM). Synergy between fludarabine and SNX7081 was evident as an effect on the distribution of the cell lines in the cell cycle and as a marked effect on the proportion of apoptotic cells (DilC (1)5 negative/PI negative) in cultures of both the cell lines and patient samples. Furthermore, we show that the combination of the compounds has a greater than additive effect on the activation of caspase-3 and on the formation of dsDNA breaks, as evidenced by the phosphorylation of g-H2Ax. Conclusions: Our studies suggest that inhibition of Hsp90 may overcome fludarabine resistance conferred by mutations of ATM or TP53. The mechanism of the synergy between these compounds appears to be via augmentation of fludarabine-induced dsDNA breaks and is concomitant with an increase in caspase-3 signaling. The data suggest that this combination may represent a promising regimen in the treatment of fludarabine-refractory CLL. Disclosures: Mulligan: Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer Schering, now Genzyme: Honoraria.

Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 92 (10) ◽  
pp. 3804-3816 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Byrd ◽  
Charlotte Shinn ◽  
Jamie K. Waselenko ◽  
Ephraim J. Fuchs ◽  
Teresa A. Lehman ◽  
...  

Abstract Flavopiridol has been reported to induce apoptosis in lymphoid cell lines via downregulation of bcl-2. The in vitro activity of flavopiridol against human chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells and potential mechanisms of action for inducing cytotoxicity were studied. The in vitro viability of mononuclear cells from CLL patients (n = 11) was reduced by 50% at 4 hours, 24 hours, and 4 days at a flavopiridol concentration of 1.15 μmol/L (95% confidence interval [CI] ±0.31), 0.18 μmol/L (95% CI ±0.04), and 0.16 μmol/L (95% CI ±0.04), respectively. Loss of viability in human CLL cells correlated with early induction of apoptosis. Exposure of CLL cells to 0.18 μmol/L of flavopiridol resulted in both decreased expression of p53 protein and cleavage of the caspase-3 zymogen 32-kD protein with the appearance of its 20-kD subunit. Contrasting observations of others in tumor cell lines, flavopiridol cytotoxicity in CLL cells did not correlate with changes in bcl-2 protein expression alterations. We evaluated flavopiridol’s dependence on intact p53 by exposing splenocytes from wild-type (p53+/+) and p53 null (p53−/−) mice that demonstrated no preferential cytotoxicity as compared with a marked differential with F-ara-a and radiation. Incubation of CLL cells with antiapoptotic cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4) did not alter the LC50 of flavopiridol, as compared with a marked elevation noted with F-ara-a in the majority of patients tested. These data demonstrate that flavopiridol has significant in vitro activity against human CLL cells through activation of caspase-3, which appears to occur independently of bcl-2 modulation, the presence of IL-4, or p53 status. Such findings strongly support the early introduction of flavopiridol into clinical trials for patients with B-CLL.


Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 92 (10) ◽  
pp. 3804-3816 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Byrd ◽  
Charlotte Shinn ◽  
Jamie K. Waselenko ◽  
Ephraim J. Fuchs ◽  
Teresa A. Lehman ◽  
...  

Flavopiridol has been reported to induce apoptosis in lymphoid cell lines via downregulation of bcl-2. The in vitro activity of flavopiridol against human chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells and potential mechanisms of action for inducing cytotoxicity were studied. The in vitro viability of mononuclear cells from CLL patients (n = 11) was reduced by 50% at 4 hours, 24 hours, and 4 days at a flavopiridol concentration of 1.15 μmol/L (95% confidence interval [CI] ±0.31), 0.18 μmol/L (95% CI ±0.04), and 0.16 μmol/L (95% CI ±0.04), respectively. Loss of viability in human CLL cells correlated with early induction of apoptosis. Exposure of CLL cells to 0.18 μmol/L of flavopiridol resulted in both decreased expression of p53 protein and cleavage of the caspase-3 zymogen 32-kD protein with the appearance of its 20-kD subunit. Contrasting observations of others in tumor cell lines, flavopiridol cytotoxicity in CLL cells did not correlate with changes in bcl-2 protein expression alterations. We evaluated flavopiridol’s dependence on intact p53 by exposing splenocytes from wild-type (p53+/+) and p53 null (p53−/−) mice that demonstrated no preferential cytotoxicity as compared with a marked differential with F-ara-a and radiation. Incubation of CLL cells with antiapoptotic cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4) did not alter the LC50 of flavopiridol, as compared with a marked elevation noted with F-ara-a in the majority of patients tested. These data demonstrate that flavopiridol has significant in vitro activity against human CLL cells through activation of caspase-3, which appears to occur independently of bcl-2 modulation, the presence of IL-4, or p53 status. Such findings strongly support the early introduction of flavopiridol into clinical trials for patients with B-CLL.


Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 5131-5131
Author(s):  
Junaid Ansari ◽  
Paula Polk ◽  
Jeffrey Aufman ◽  
Guillermo A Herrera ◽  
James Cardelli ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Purpose: Niclosamide is an anthelminthic drug which has been used for the treatment of human parasitic infections for many years. Niclosamide interacts with lysosomes and induces autophagy. In recent years, it has demonstrated anti-cancer potential in leukemia, breast cancer, colon cancer, myeloma, ovarian, prostate and lung cancer models. Multiple pathways like Wnt/β-catenin, mTORC1, STAT3, NF-κB and notch signaling were reported to be involved. Only limited studies were done in lymphoma models. We hypothesized that niclosamide may also have in vitro and in vivo activities in lymphomas. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas generally respond well to chemotherapy and/ or immunotherapy, however many patients relapse and ultimately become refractory. Relapses are often caused by tumor stem cells not eliminated by cytostatic drugs. Therefore new treatment approaches and new targets are desirable. Materials and Methods: Established B lymphoma cell lines were exposed to different concentrations of niclosamide (0.1-4µM) and IC50 was calculated at 24, 48 and 72 hours. The cell concentration, viability and proliferation were assessed by CellTiter-Blue viability and trypan blue exclusion assays. Apoptosis was assessed by a combined annexin-V/ propidium iodide stain. Gene expression changes were studied using GeneChip Human Transcriptome Array 2.0 (Affymetrix) with 44 699 annotated genes. Colony forming assays were performed in methylcellulose. Ultrastructural changes were studied using a Hitachi electron microscope. As normal controls, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from individuals without active cancer were incubated with niclosamide for up to 72 hours. Samples from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia were also treated under the same conditions. Results: Treatment with niclosamide at doses as low as 0.1 μM resulted in time-and dose- dependent apoptosis, cytotoxicity and inhibition of proliferation in aggressive lymphoma cell lines. The 50% inhibitory concentration in a proliferation assay (mean of data at 24, 48 and 72 hours) is shown in the Table below. Niclosamide also inhibited clonal growth in semi-solid media. Electron microscopy showed that filopodia increased and lipid vacuoles developed whereas mitochondria were less numerous and had fewer cristae (when KOPN-8 was treated with 0.5 μM for 48 hours). The viability of mononuclear cells from 8 individuals without lymphoma was unchanged (or minimally decreased) when incubated with niclosamide. As far as cells from two patients with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia are concerned, no cytotoxicity was observed at doses between 0.5 and 5 μM. Gene expression changes were studied the cell lines Daudi and KOPN-8 treated with 2.5 μM for 3 and 6 h. 96 genes were consistently overexpressed , 59 down-regulated. Ten out of the 96 overexpressed genes involved the TNF pathway and immunoregulation including CD95. Thirteen out of the 59 down-regulated genes are involved in mitochondrial function. Table.Cell lineDescription of Cell TypeIC 50STDDaudiBurkitt lymphoma cell line0.37 μM± 0.12HBL-2Diffuse large B cell lymphoma cell line0.68 μM± 0.15KOPN-8B precursor ALL cell line0.6 μM± 0.08RamosBurkitt lymphoma cell line0.58 μM± 0.04RajiBurkitt lymphoma cell line0.65 μM± 0.10SU-DHL4-VRVincristine resistant lymphoma cell line0.5 μM± 0.02 Conclusion: Niclosamide effectively inhibits the proliferation of B lymphoma cell lines and induces apoptosis. Preliminary data show that Niclosamide targets genes involved in the TNF pathway and interferes with mitochondrial function. Normal lymphocytes are not sensitive to niclosamide. The in-vitro activity of niclosamide is at least comparable or superior to the activity seen in other malignancies. Niclosamide may target drug-resistant lymphoma stem cells and has clinical potential. We plan to study combination treatments and perform in vivo studies. Acknowledgments: The authors thank Drs. Borje Andersson, Shile Huang, Nakle Saba, Ben Valdez and Ellen Vitetta for their kind gift of cell lines. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 91 (9) ◽  
pp. 3379-3389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinichi Kitada ◽  
Janet Andersen ◽  
Sophie Akar ◽  
Juan M. Zapata ◽  
Shinichi Takayama ◽  
...  

Abstract B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) represents a neoplastic disorder caused primarily by defective programmed cell death (PCD), as opposed to increased cell proliferation. Defects in the PCD pathway also contribute to chemoresistance. The expression of several apoptosis-regulating proteins, including the Bcl-2 family proteins Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Mcl-1, Bax, Bak, and BAD; the Bcl-2–binding protein BAG-1; and the cell death protease Caspase-3 (CPP32), was evaluated by immunoblotting using 58 peripheral blood B-CLL specimens from previously untreated patients. Expression of Bcl-2, Mcl-1, BAG-1, Bax, Bak, and Caspase-3 was commonly found in circulating B-CLL cells, whereas the Bcl-XL and BAD proteins were not present. Higher levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 were strongly correlated with failure to achieve complete remission (CR) after single-agent therapy (fludarabine or chlorambucil) (P = .001), but the presence of only seven CRs among the 42 patients for whom follow-up data were available necessitates cautious interpretation of these observations. Higher levels of the anti-apoptotic protein BAG-1 were also marginally associated with failure to achieve CR (P = .04). Apoptosis-regulating proteins were not associated with patient age, sex, Rai stage, platelet count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, or lymph node involvement, although higher levels of Bcl-2 and a high Bcl-2:Bax ratio were correlated with high numbers (>105/μL) of white blood cells (WBC) (P = .01; .007) and higher levels of Bak were weakly associated with loss of allelic heterozygosity at 13q14 (P = .04). On the basis of measurements of apoptosis induction by fludarabine using cultured B-CLL specimens, in vitro chemosensitivity data failed to correlate with in vivo clinical response rates (n = 42) and expression of the various apoptosis-regulating proteins. Although larger prospective studies are required before firm conclusions can be reached, these studies show the expression in B-CLLs of multiple apoptosis-regulating proteins and suggest that the relative levels of some of these, such as Mcl-1, may provide information about in vivo responses to chemotherapy. In vitro chemosensitivity data, however, do not appear to be particularly useful in predicting responses in B-CLL.


Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 91 (9) ◽  
pp. 3379-3389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinichi Kitada ◽  
Janet Andersen ◽  
Sophie Akar ◽  
Juan M. Zapata ◽  
Shinichi Takayama ◽  
...  

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) represents a neoplastic disorder caused primarily by defective programmed cell death (PCD), as opposed to increased cell proliferation. Defects in the PCD pathway also contribute to chemoresistance. The expression of several apoptosis-regulating proteins, including the Bcl-2 family proteins Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Mcl-1, Bax, Bak, and BAD; the Bcl-2–binding protein BAG-1; and the cell death protease Caspase-3 (CPP32), was evaluated by immunoblotting using 58 peripheral blood B-CLL specimens from previously untreated patients. Expression of Bcl-2, Mcl-1, BAG-1, Bax, Bak, and Caspase-3 was commonly found in circulating B-CLL cells, whereas the Bcl-XL and BAD proteins were not present. Higher levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 were strongly correlated with failure to achieve complete remission (CR) after single-agent therapy (fludarabine or chlorambucil) (P = .001), but the presence of only seven CRs among the 42 patients for whom follow-up data were available necessitates cautious interpretation of these observations. Higher levels of the anti-apoptotic protein BAG-1 were also marginally associated with failure to achieve CR (P = .04). Apoptosis-regulating proteins were not associated with patient age, sex, Rai stage, platelet count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, or lymph node involvement, although higher levels of Bcl-2 and a high Bcl-2:Bax ratio were correlated with high numbers (>105/μL) of white blood cells (WBC) (P = .01; .007) and higher levels of Bak were weakly associated with loss of allelic heterozygosity at 13q14 (P = .04). On the basis of measurements of apoptosis induction by fludarabine using cultured B-CLL specimens, in vitro chemosensitivity data failed to correlate with in vivo clinical response rates (n = 42) and expression of the various apoptosis-regulating proteins. Although larger prospective studies are required before firm conclusions can be reached, these studies show the expression in B-CLLs of multiple apoptosis-regulating proteins and suggest that the relative levels of some of these, such as Mcl-1, may provide information about in vivo responses to chemotherapy. In vitro chemosensitivity data, however, do not appear to be particularly useful in predicting responses in B-CLL.


ESMO Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. e000387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Tarantelli ◽  
Elena Bernasconi ◽  
Eugenio Gaudio ◽  
Luciano Cascione ◽  
Valentina Restelli ◽  
...  

BackgroundThe outcome of patients affected by mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) has improved in recent years, but there is still a need for novel treatment strategies for these patients. Human cancers, including MCL, present recurrent alterations in genes that encode transcription machinery proteins and of proteins involved in regulating chromatin structure, providing the rationale to pharmacologically target epigenetic proteins. The Bromodomain and Extra Terminal domain (BET) family proteins act as transcriptional regulators of key signalling pathways including those sustaining cell viability. Birabresib (MK-8628/OTX015) has shown antitumour activity in different preclinical models and has been the first BET inhibitor to successfully undergo early clinical trials.Materials and methodsThe activity of birabresib as a single agent and in combination, as well as its mechanism of action was studied in MCL cell lines.ResultsBirabresib showed in vitro and in vivo activities, which appeared mediated via downregulation of MYC targets, cell cycle and NFKB pathway genes and were independent of direct downregulation of CCND1. Additionally, the combination of birabresib with other targeted agents (especially pomalidomide, or inhibitors of BTK, mTOR and ATR) was beneficial in MCL cell lines.ConclusionOur data provide the rationale to evaluate birabresib in patients affected by MCL.


Antioxidants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrike Neumann ◽  
Felix Derwenskus ◽  
Verena Flaiz Flister ◽  
Ulrike Schmid-Staiger ◽  
Thomas Hirth ◽  
...  

Microalgae contain a multitude of nutrients and can be grown sustainably. Fucoxanthin, a carotenoid from Phaeodactylum tricornutum, could have beneficial health effects. Therefore, we investigated the anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and antiproliferative effects of fucoxanthin derived from this diatom in vitro. The effects of purified fucoxanthin on metabolic activity were assessed in blood mononuclear cells and different cell lines. In cell lines, caspase 3/7 activity was also analyzed. Nitrogen monoxide release and mRNA-expression of proinflammatory cytokines were measured. For antioxidant assays, cell free assays were conducted. Additionally, the antioxidant effect in neutrophils was quantified and glutathione was determined in HeLa cells. The results show that neither did fucoxanthin have anti-inflammatory properties nor did it exert cytotoxic effects on mononuclear cells. However, the metabolic activity of cell lines was decreased up to 58% and fucoxanthin increased the caspase 3/7 activity up to 4.6-fold. Additionally, dose-dependent antioxidant effects were detected, resulting in a 63% decrease in chemiluminescence in blood neutrophils and a 3.3-fold increase in the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione. Our studies show that fucoxanthin possesses antiproliferative and antioxidant activities in vitro. Hence, this carotenoid or the whole microalgae P. tricornutum could be considered as a food or nutraceutical in human nutrition, showcasing beneficial health effects.


Blood ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 77 (12) ◽  
pp. 2707-2715 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Cemerlic ◽  
B Dadey ◽  
T Han ◽  
L Vaickus

Abstract The feasibility of combining the Lym-1 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was evaluated. We used an in vitro tumor lysis model that incorporated fresh CLL cells from 21 different patients as targets for two distinct normal human leukocyte effector subsets, neutrophils, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Lym-1 antigen (Lym-1- Ag) expression varied greatly and did not correlate with the expression of other CLL-associated antigens such as CD5, CD19, or HLA-DR. CLL cells were not lysed by neutrophils alone or with IFN-gamma in the absence of Lym-1. Neutrophil Lym-1-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC) in the absence of IFN-gamma was weak and inconsistent. IFN-gamma exposure induced MoAb-dependent lysis of 80% of 21 CLL targets and resulted in an eightfold augmentation of neutrophil ADCC against the remainder. Cytotoxicity correlated directly and positively with Lym-1-Ag expression. Confirmation of the need for interaction between neutrophil IgG Fc receptors (Fc gamma Rs) and the Fc portion of the Lym-1 MoAb was obtained by demonstrating that purified Staphylococcus aureus Protein A (SpA) inhibited ADCC. IFN-gamma exposure caused no consistent alternations in Lym-1-Ag expression on CLL cells so that target antigen upregulation was unlikely to account for augmentation of neutrophil ADCC. PBMCs alone, exposed to interkeukin-2 (IL-2) or IFN-gamma, or with Lym-1 in the presence or absence of IL-2 or IFN-gamma were unable to lyse CLL targets. PBMCs were able to kill Raji Burkitt lymphoma cells in conjunction with Lym-1, so their ability to interact with Lym- 1-coated targets and their lytic functions appeared intact. These results emphasize the importance of examining fresh tumor cells with different leukocyte effector subsets before designing a clinical trial that combines a therapeutic MoAb with a cytokine.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 2951-2951
Author(s):  
Jun Fan ◽  
Asou Norio ◽  
Masao Matsuoka

Abstract DNA methylation plays an important role in the development and aging of mammalian cells, and its dysregulation has been frequently observed in cancer cells. The purpose of this study is to investigate the involvement of aberrant DNA methylation in B chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) cells. We compared methylation status of B-CLL cells isolated from patients with that of normal CD19+ cells isolated from health donors by methylated CpG island amplification/representative difference analysis method. 5 hypermethylated and 27 hypomethylated DNA regions were identified in B-CLL sample. Among the 27 hypomethylated regions, 5 located on chromosome 9q34, 3 on 10q25-26 and 4 on 19q13. Methylation status was confirmed by sequencing using sodium bisulfite-treated DNA samples. By comparing DNA samples from same patients at different clinical stages, we found that lower methylation density in these regions is linked with disease progression. Expression of 15 genes surrounding hypomethylated regions was studied by RT-PCR. Expression of laminin beta3 gene and melanotransferrin gene was found to be upregulated in all B-CLL cell lines as well as lymphoma cell lines comparing with normal CD19+ peripheral blood mononuclear cells. B-cell CLL/lymphoma 11b gene showed increased expression in only 2 B-CLL cell lines. For other genes, no transcriptional change was found regardless of changed DNA methylation. This study showed the predominance of DNA hypomethylation in B-CLL cells compared with hypermethylation. Hypomethylated regions clustered in a limited number of chromosomes and methylation density appeared to be inversely correlated with disease progress. Figure Figure


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