Promising Pre-Clinical Activity of A-1014907, a Dual Inhibitor of Aurora Kinases and VEGFR in Multiple Myeloma

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 1848-1848
Author(s):  
Utkarsh Painuly ◽  
Vijay G. Ramakrishnan ◽  
Teresa K. Kimlinger ◽  
S. Vincent Rajkumar ◽  
Shaji K. Kumar

Abstract Abstract 1848 Background: Aurora kinases play an important role in cell division by controlling chromatid segregation. Aberrant functions of aurora kinases result in genetic instability, a condition often seen in cancers. While Aurora A is important in the alignment of the sister chromatids, Aurora B, a spindle fiber associated kinase, heavily influences the equal division of sister chromatids and along with the Aurora C kinase also assists in a regulated cell division. Inhibition of either of the Aurora family kinases affects chromosomal alignment and segregation during the course of cell division resulting in polyploidy, cell growth arrest and ultimately cell death. VEGF has been implicated in the increased angiogenesis in MM patients. Increase in VEGF levels leads to upregulation in the Ras/Mek/Erk pathway and increased angiogenesis, cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis. Inhibiting this pathway has shown to induce apoptosis in MM cells. We therefore investigated the role of a small molecule inhibitor A-1014907 that inhibits both aurora kinases and VEGF stimulated Ras/Mek/Erk pathway. Methods: A-1014907 was synthesized and provided by Abbott Laboratories Ltd. Stock solutions were made in DMSO, and subsequently diluted in RPMI-1640 medium for use. MM cell lines were cultured in RPMI 1640 containing 10% fetal bovine serum, penicillin, and streptomycin. Cytotoxicity was measured using the MTT viability assay and proliferation using thymidine uptake. Apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry upon cell staining with Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide (PI) for cell lines and patient cells. Immunoblotting was done on cell extracts at various time points following incubation with the drug in order to study the cell signaling pathways. Results: A-1014907 was able to induce cytotoxicity and inhibit proliferation in all MM cell lines tested with IC50 values between 50–100nM. Similar extents of inhibition of proliferation was also observed when MM cells were co-cultured with bone marrow stromal cells or HUVEC cells or tumor promoting cytokines IL6, IGF and VEGF. The increase in cytotoxicity was due to apoptotic cell death observed in both MM cell lines and patient cells. Cell cycle assays demonstrated that A-1014907 was able to induce cell cycle arrest at the G2/M stage of cell cycle followed by polyploidy indicative of Aurora B inhibition. We also observed an increase over time the proportion of cells in sub G0/G1 stage indicative of cell death. Western blots were performed to understand the mechanism of action of A-1014907. We observed that A-1014907 was able to significantly down regulate Aurora B activity as measured by pHistone H3 (Ser 10) down regulation. This was accompanied by up regulation of p21 and down regulation of CDK4 and cyclin E both indicative of G2/M arrest. We also observed the ability of A-1014907 to inhibit the Ras/Mek/Erk pathway by measuring levels of pErk post treatment with the drug. A-1014907 potently inhibited pErk levels and this down regulation was also observed when MM cells were co-cultured with either VEGF or HUVEC cells. Furthermore, A-1014907 at sub IC50 doses induced synergistic cell death of MM cell lines when combined with sub IC50 doses of dexamethasone Conclusion and current studies: A-1014907 clearly inhibits the Ras/Mek/Erk pathway and aurora B activity and induces apoptosis in MM cell lines and patient cells. We are currently using siRNA to aurora A in combination with A-1014907. We are also examining the mechanism of action of dexamethasone in combination with A-1014907. All this will help to design clinical trials with A-1014907 either alone or in combination with other anti-MM agents in MM patients. Disclosures: Kumar: Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy, Honoraria; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Genzyme: Research Funding; Cephalon: Research Funding.

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 2848-2848
Author(s):  
Enrico Derenzini ◽  
Daniela Buglio ◽  
Hiroshi Katayama ◽  
Yuan Ji ◽  
Subrata Sen ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 2848 Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) cell proliferation and survival is sustained by a complex network of cytokine signaling, involving the Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells and tumor microenvironment. Following cytokine stimulation, JAK-STAT activation promotes the transcription of target genes involved in proliferation, survival, and immune escape. Programmed Death-ligands 1 and 2 (PD-L1 and PD-L2) and the Th2 chemokine TARC are immune-modulators involved in immune evasion, respectively through inhibition of effector T cell function (PD-L1, PD-L2) and attraction and homing of Th2 cells (TARC). Aurora kinases are frequently overexpressed in human cancers and play essential functions in chromosome alignment and cytokinesis. The role of Aurora kinases in Hodgkin lymphomagenesis is not defined yet. In this study we report the activity profile of the JAK2 inhibitor AZD1480 in HL cell lines (HD-LM2, L-428, KM-H2, L-540). To assess the effect of AZD1480 on cell proliferation, cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of AZD1480 (from 0.1 to 10 μM) for 24, 48 and 72 hours (hrs). A significant growth inhibition was evident after 72 hrs of incubation, specially using the high doses of AZD1480 (5μM). The L-540 cell line showed the highest sensitivity, with a decrease in cell viability close to 50% following incubation with AZD1480 1μM. Inhibition of STAT3, STAT5 and STAT6 phosphorylation in the L-540, L-428 and HD-LM2 cell lines was observed with concentrations equal to 0.1 μM or higher. Using Annexin V- propidium iodide staining, we found that AZD1480 induced cell death by apoptosis in a dose dependent manner after 72 hrs of incubation when a high concentration (5μM) of the drug was used. Lower concentrations of AZD1480 (1μM) promoted a statistically significant increase in cell death only in the L-540 and to a lesser extent in the L-428 cell line. Consistent with this data, also caspase 9, 3 and PARP cleavage was observed in all the cell lines exposed to AZD1480 5 μM. AZD1480 5μM promoted a marked increase in the G2/M fraction in all the cell lines as soon as 24 hrs after incubation, especially in the HD-LM2 and L-428 cell lines. Treatment with lower doses (1μM) did not affect significantly the cell cycle. Since AZD1480 was also reported to inhibit Aurora A kinase at nanomolar concentrations in enzymatic assays, we assessed if the significant increase in the G2/M fraction was related to the inhibition of the Aurora A kinase. We evaluated the levels of autophosphorylation on Thr-288 by western blotting. Cells were pretreated with Nocodazole 400 ng/ml for 18 hrs in order to achieve a mitotic block, and then exposed to AZD1480 (1-5μM) and/or the proteasome inhibitor MG132 (20μM) (in order to prevent the potential overriding of the Nocodazole induced mitotic block), for 3 hours. A dose-dependent inhibition of Aurora A was detected in all the cell lines, with a complete abrogation when higher doses of AZD1480 were used (5μM). These findings are consistent with the analysis of the cell cycle fractions, showing dose-dependent changes of the cell cycle at 24 hrs following incubation with AZD1480. AZD1480 also decreased the secretion of key cytokines involved autocrine and paracrine survival loops and immune escape. Following incubation with AZD1480 1μM for 72 hrs cell culture supernatants were analyzed by ELISA: decreased levels of IL-6, IL-13, TARC, and IL-21 were observed in HD-LM2, L-428 and L-540 cells. Moreover we assessed the expression of PD-L1 and PD-L2 by flow cytometry and observed significant downregulation in the PD-L1/PD-L2 overexpressing cell lines (L-540 and HD-LM2). These data suggest that AZD1480 has a pleiotropic mechanism of action in HL by targeting the JAK-STAT and the Aurora kinase pathway, and by altering the pattern of cytokine and chemokine secretion and the expression of factors involved in immune escape. Our study provides the rationale for further clinical investigation of AZD1480 in HL. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 1657-1657 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Bonetti ◽  
Michela Boi ◽  
Maurilio Ponzoni ◽  
Maria Grazia Tibiletti ◽  
Anastasios Stahis ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 1657 Background: Bromodomain-containing proteins play an important role in gene expression regulation, via chromatin structure remodelling. Antitumor activity has been reported in acute and chronic hematological malignancies using inhibitors of BRD2/3/4, members of the Bromodomain and Extraterminal (BET) family. Here, we report anti-proliferative activity of OTX015, a novel selective orally bioavailable BRD2/3/4 inhibitor, in a large panel of cell lines derived from mature B-cell lymphoid tumors. Material and Methods: Established human cell lines derived from 13 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), 4 mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), three splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL) and from three multiple myeloma (MM) were treated with increasing doses of OTX015 (OncoEthix SA) and MTT assays were performed after 72 hours exposure. For cell cycle analysis, cells were treated and stained with Click-iT Edu Flow Cytometry Assay Kits (Invitrogen) and 7-AAD and analyzed for DNA content using a FACScan flow cytometer. Results were analyzed with FlowJo 7.6.3 software. RNA extracted using the Qiagen RNAEasy kit and reverse-transcribed using the Superscript First-Strand Synthesis System for RT-PCR kit according to the manufacturer's instructions. RT-PCR was performed using Fast SYBR Green Master Mix on a StepOnePlus Real-Time PCR System. For senescence detection, cells were stained using a b-Galactosidase Staining Kit (Calbiochem). Results: OTX015 demonstrated anti-proliferative activity in DLBCL cell lines (median IC50 0.192μM; range 0.069–12.68μM). Similar results were obtained on SMZL (median IC50 0.165μM, range 0.105–0.24μM), and on MM cell lines (median IC50 0.449μM; range 0.06–0.7μM). Conversely, MCL cell lines appeared less sensitive to OTX015 (median IC50 2.01μM; range 1.22- >15μM). Among DLBCL cell lines, there was no significant difference based upon the cell of origin of the cell lines. OTX105 caused a cell cycle arrest in G1 in a dose-dependent manner in 5/5 DLBCL and 3/3 MM cell lines, without an increase in cell death. An increase in the percentage of senescent cells after treatment with the BRD-inhibitor was observed in 1/1 sensitive DLBCL cell line. In order to understand the mechanism of action of OTX015, we assessed MYC mRNA levels before and after 24h treatment with increasing doses. We observed a dose-dependent suppression of MYC mRNA by OTX015 in 4/5 DLBCL and in 2/2 MM cell lines. In DLBCL, down-regulation of MYC mRNA was observed within 1h after treatment with OTX015, suggesting a direct effect of the compound on the MYC gene. To determine whether the suppression of MYC gene by OTX015 was reversible, DLBCL cell lines were treated for 2h with OTX015 and then the inhibitor was removed from the media. MYC mRNA suppression appeared reversible, as shown in DLBCL cell lines, which, after 2h exposure to OTX015, showed a time-dependent restoration of MYC mRNA expression to untreated levels after 2–3h. In one of the most sensitive DLBCL cell lines no MYC mRNA down-regulation was observed after treatment, suggesting that alternative pathways can be affected by BRD-inhibition. Conclusion: OTX015 is a new potent BRD-inhibitor with evident anti-proliferative activity in several cell lines representative of mature B-cell tumors. An apparently reversible down-regulation of MYC mRNA was commonly observed, appearing as a possible mechanism of action of the compound. The compound appears worth of further investigation as a new promising therapeutic agent in mature B-cell origin malignancies. A phase I trial is scheduled to start in 2012. Disclosures: Bonetti: OncoEthix SA: Research Funding. Inghirami:OncoEthix SA: Research Funding. Noel:OncoEthix SA: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Bertoni:OncoEthix SA: Research Funding.


Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 1741-1741
Author(s):  
Steffen Klippel ◽  
Jana Jakubikova ◽  
Jake Delmore ◽  
Melissa G. Ooi ◽  
Douglas McMillin ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 1741 Poster Board I-767 Background In contrast to most normal cells, cancer cells typically produce energy predominantly by glycolysis as demonstrated by O. Warburg more than 50 years ago. Methyljasmonate (MJ), a hormone produced by plants in response to biotic & abiotic stresses such as herbivory and wounding, has been shown to prevent the interaction of hexokinase (Hxk) and voltage dependent anion channels (VDACs), thereby significantly impacting the onset of glycolytic energy production. This may explain promising preclinical results observed with MJ against a variety of cancer cells, including myeloid leukemia and B-cell lymphoma cell lines. Methods and Results We tested the potential of MJ against Multiple Myeloma (MM) cells. We first evaluated the response of 16 different MM cell lines to 24 h of exposure to MJ concentrations of 0.5 – 3.5 mM using MTT assays. 15/16 of the MM cell lines tested displayed an IC50 of < 1.5 mM. In contrast, HS-5 stroma cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) did not respond to that MJ concentration, and even at a concentration of 2.5 mM MJ showed a maximal reduction of cell viability of 40%. Similarly to MM cell lines, purified CD138+ primary tumor cells of 3 MM patients displayed an IC50 of < 1.5 mM, suggesting that the differential sensitivity of MM vs. normal cells to MJ is not restricted to cell lines, but is also observed with primary tumor cells. Importantly, neither co-culture with HS-5 stroma nor IL-6 protected MM cells against MJ. Cell death commitment assays revealed that 1h exposure of 1.5 mM MJ induced cell death. Annexin V/PI FACS analysis of MJ-exposed MM cells showed that the cell death is mainly driven by apoptosis, evidenced by cleavage of caspases 3, 8 and 9 as well as of PARP. However, pre-incubation of MM cells with specific caspase inhibitors such as 10 mM of AC-DEVD-CHO, Z-IETD-fmk, Z-LEHD-fmk or 50 mM of Z-VAD only minimally protects the cancer cells from MJ exposure. Therefore, the impact of the MJ is not solely due to caspase triggered proteolytic cascades. Measurements of cellular ATP content by cell titer glow (CTG; Promega, Madison, WI) assay showed rapid depletion of ATP triggered by MJ action in sensitive MM cell lines. Additionally, we observed that 1 h exposure to 2 mM MJ modulated signaling pathways including IRS1/PI3K/AKT, MEK1/2, as well as Stat3 and JNK. FACS-based cell cycle analysis after propidium iodide staining did not show cell cycle arrest, but rather a rapid transition of cells to G0/G1 No correlation of sensitivity of MM cell lines and the number of mitochondria per cancer cell, as determined by Mitotracker Green (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) -based flow analysis, was observed. We next examined if MJ exhibits either significant antagonism or synergy with established or novel anti-MM agents, including Bortezomib, Lenalidomide, Doxorubicin, Rapamycin or Dexamethasone, but discovered neither. However, MJ displayed synergy when combined with 2-Deoxyglucose. Finally, MJ was tested in vivo in scid/nod mice irradiated with 150 rads, injected with 1× 106 MM1S cells, and then, treated at 500 mg/kg by IP administration on a 5 days on / 2 days off schedule starting two weeks after tumor cell injection, There was an overall survival advantage of MJ-treated animals over the respective controls, with all treated mice (n=10) still alive but 6/10 control mice dead after 27 d. Conclusions Based on its rapidity of anti-MM action, favorable safety profile in preclinical models, distinct pattern of molecular sequelae, and compatibility with established anti-MM agents, MJ represents a promising investigational anti-MM agent. Disclosures Laubach: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria. Richardson:Millennium: (Speakers Bureau up to 7/1/09), Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: (Speakers Bureau up to 7/1/09), Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Anderson:Millennium: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Mitsiades:Novartis Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria; Milllennium: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb : Consultancy, Honoraria; Merck &Co.: Consultancy, Honoraria; Kosan Pharmaceuticals : Consultancy, Honoraria; Pharmion: Consultancy, Honoraria; PharmaMar: Patents & Royalties; Amgen: Research Funding; AVEO Pharma: Research Funding; EMD Serono: Research Funding; Sunesis Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding.


Blood ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 130 (Suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 716-716
Author(s):  
Sujan Piya ◽  
Hong Mu ◽  
Seemana Bhattacharya ◽  
Teresa McQueen ◽  
Richard E Davis ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Salvage options for patients with relapsed T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) are limited, with less than 25% of these patients achieving second remission 1, 2. 70% of T-ALL cases have activating mutations of the NOTCH1 pathway, which transcriptionally activates MYC by binding to its `superenhancer' region 3, 4. Other deregulated oncogenic pathways in T-ALL include PI3K/Akt, the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family, and CDKN2A/2B cell cycle regulators 5, 6. The NOTCH1-MYC regulatory circuit is an attractive therapeutic target, but clinical development of gamma-secretase inhibitors (GSI) to target NOTCH1 has been limited by 'on target' toxicities. A better target may be BRD4, a critical component of superenhancer complexes that binds to acetylated histone (3 and 4) and drives NOTCH1 mediated MYC transcription7. ARV-825 is a hetero-bifunctional PROteolysis TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC) that has 3 components: a thienodiazepine-based BRD4 ligand, a linker arm, and a cereblon-binding ligand. ARV-825 recruits BRD4 to the E3 ubiquitin ligase cereblon and leads to efficient and sustained degradation of BRD4, resulting in down-regulation of MYC. Methods: We investigated the effectiveness of ARV-825 against T-ALL cell lines, including GSI-resistant lines. Since microenvironmental signals are critical for the survival of T-ALL, we specifically tested the impact of BRD4 degradation on CD44/CD44v, which integrates cell-extrinsic microenvironmental signals and is part of cysteine transporter that maintains low intra-cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), necessary for T-ALL survival and the persistence of disease. We also examined the anti-leukemic effect of ARV-825 in a T-ALL patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse model of disseminated leukemia with a constitutively active NOTCH1 mutation. Results: The IC50s for all tested T-ALL cell lines at 72 hours were in the low nanomolar range (&lt; 50 nM). ARV-825 leads to sustained degradation of BRD4 and down-regulation of its transcriptional targets MYC, Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL and inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in GSI-sensitive (HPB-ALL, KOPT1) and GSI-resistant (MOLT4, SUPT1) cell lines. Mass cytometry based proteomic analysis (CyTOF) and immunoblotting showed that ARV-825 down-regulated cell intrinsic oncogenic molecules: transcription factors Myc and NFkB, cell cycle regulator CDK6, activated PI3K/Akt, and anti-apoptotic Bcl2 family proteins. In addition ARV-825 down regulated two key molecules involved in leukemia-stroma interaction; CD44 (Fig. 1), and CD98, a component of amino acid transporters xCT, LAT1 and 2, both essential in regulation of oxidative stress. Quantitative PCR and immunoblotting analysis confirmed the transcriptional down regulation of total CD44 and CD44 variants 8-10 (2-fold change treated vs . untreated). As a functional correlate of down-regulation of CD98/CD44/CD44v, flow cytometry confirmed increased intracellular ROS generation (Fig. 2). Finally, in a PDX mouse model of human T-ALL, ARV-825 treatment resulted in lower leukemia burden (confirmed by flow cytometry for human CD45+ cells in bone marrow) and better survival compared to vehicle-treated control mice (p=0.002) (Fig.3). Reference: 1. Marks DI, Rowntree C. Management of adults with T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood 2017; 129(9): 1134-1142. 2. Litzow MR, Ferrando AA. How I treat T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults. Blood 2015; 126(7): 833-41. 3. Sanchez-Martin M, Ferrando A. The NOTCH1-MYC highway toward T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood 2017; 129(9): 1124-1133. 4. Demarest RM, Ratti F, Capobianco AJ. It's T-ALL about Notch. Oncogene 2008; 27(38): 5082-91. 5. Girardi T, Vicente C, Cools J, De Keersmaecker K. The genetics and molecular biology of T-ALL. Blood 2017; 129(9): 1113-1123. 6. Joshi I, Minter LM, Telfer J, Demarest RM, Capobianco AJ, Aster JC et al. Notch signaling mediates G1/S cell-cycle progression in T cells via cyclin D3 and its dependent kinases. Blood 2009; 113(8): 1689-98. 7. Loven J, Hoke HA, Lin CY, Lau A, Orlando DA, Vakoc CR et al. Selective inhibition of tumor oncogenes by disruption of super-enhancers. Cell 2013; 153(2): 320-34. Disclosures Qian: 4Arvinas, LLC. New Haven, CT: Employment. Raina: 4Arvinas, LLC. New Haven, CT: Employment. McKay: 6 ImmunoGen, Inc.Waltham, MA: Employment. Kantarjian: Novartis: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Delta-Fly Pharma: Research Funding; Bristol-Meyers Squibb: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; ARIAD: Research Funding. Andreeff: Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1814-1814
Author(s):  
Takayuki Sasano ◽  
Saki Kushima ◽  
Matsushita Yutaka ◽  
Masao Matsuoka ◽  
Hiroyuki Hata ◽  
...  

Background: Despite the efficacy of novel agents, multiple myeloma (MM) is still an incurable disease. In order to achieve a cure, it is necessary to develop new therapeutic drugs, which target different pathways from the present anti-MM agents. PDK1 (pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1) is a glucose metabolism-related protein often induced by HIF-1. PDK1 inactivates PDH (pyruvate dehydrogenase) through phosphorylation, leading to enhanced glycolysis in the cytoplasm and suppression of oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria. PDK1 that is highly expressed in plasma cells is a downstream target of IRF4. We previously reported that PDK1 inhibition is a potent therapeutic strategy in MM (Fujiwara S et al. Br. J. Cancer; 108 (1): 170-178. 2013). However, PDK1 inhibitors, which are effective at low concentrations, are limited at present, making PDK1 inhibition difficult to apply in the clinic. In the present study, we examined the efficacy and mechanism of action of JX06, a novel PDK1 inhibitor, against MM cells. Materials and methods: MM cell lines (NCI-H929,KMS-12PE,KMS-12BM,U266, KMM1, RPMI-8226) were treated with PDK1 inhibitor, JX06, in vitro. Caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-FMK, was used in combination with JX06 to study the mechanism of JX06 induced MM cell death. Mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) inhibitor, UK5099, was utilized to block pyruvate transportation into the mitochondria. Bortezomib was used in combination with or without JX06. Growth inhibition of MM cell lines by JX06 were examined by WST-8 assay. Cytotoxicity of primary MM cells by JX06 was examined using flow cytometry after staining with 7AAD. Caspase 3 activity and PDH phosphorylation of MM cell lines were determined by Western blot. Cell cycle analysis of MM cell lines treated with or without JX06 was performed by flow cytometry using BrdU. Detection of apoptosis in MM cell lines were examined by Annexin V and PI staining followed by flow cytometry analysis. Results: JX06 suppressed cell growth of various MM cell lines and primary myeloma cells at low concentrations (0.5-1.0 µM). MM cell death by JX06 accompanied caspase 3 activation and this cell death was suppressed under addition of Z-VAD-FMK, indicating that JX06 induced apoptosis in MM cells. Moreover, phosphorylation of PDH, known as a target of PDK1, was significantly suppressed under JX06 treatment, demonstrating that indeed JX06 exerts anti-MM effect by inhibiting PDK1-PDH pathway. Addition of UK5099 to JX06 suppressed JX06-induced MM cell death, demonstrating that the efficacy of JX06 depends on pyruvate transported into the mitochondria through MPC. There was no significant difference in cell cycle distribution between JX06 treated MM cells compared to control, suggesting that JX06 exerts cytotoxicity independent of cell cycle phase. Moreover, significant increase of cell death was observed in NCI-H929 cell line treated in combination with 0.25 µM JX06 and 2.5 nM bortezomib, although bortezomib alone at concentration of 2.5 nM didn't induce cell death. Conclusion: We demonstrated that JX06 could induce apoptosis of MM cell lines and primary MM cells by inhibiting PDK1. JX06-induced MM cell death is mediated by metabolic shift from glycolysis in the cytoplasm to oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria (Fig. 1). Considering its efficacy and the distinct mechanism of action from the current anti-MM agents, JX06 can be a promising anti-MM agent. Furthermore, JX06 not only works as single agent, but can also enhance the efficacy of current anti-MM drugs, suggesting this combination lead to better treatment response and less toxicity. Disclosures Matsuoka: Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb Corp.: Research Funding; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Honoraria.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 4060-4060 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter Hanel ◽  
Liudmyla Tsyba ◽  
Dennis Huszar ◽  
Alex Prouty ◽  
Xiaoli Zhang ◽  
...  

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive and incurable subtype of B-cell Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) characterized by genetic dysregulation of CyclinD1. Despite the improvement in response rates with current therapies, MCL patients inevitably relapse and outcomes remain poor. This is particularly true for MCL patients progressing on novel targeted therapies such as ibrutinib, highlighting the continued need for new therapeutic approaches. SUMOylation is a post-translational modification regulated by SUMO Activating Enzymes 1 and 2 (SAE1/2) affecting function, stability, and subcellular localization of a multitude of proteins such as Cyclin D1 and regulating multiple cellular functions such as cell cycle control and DNA damage response. While not yet explored in MCL, it is known that hyper-SUMOylation is associated with augmented cell proliferation and tumor growth of a number of cancers including B-cell NHL. We evaluated the expression levels of SAE1/2, total SUMO1, and SUMO 2/3 in normal human B cells, primary MCL patient samples, and a panel of 8 MCL cell lines via immunoblotting. We found significantly increased levels of SAE1/2 and total protein SUMOylation in 4 out of 5 MCL patient samples and all MCL cell lines compared to normal human B-cells. To validate the SAE complex as a potential therapeutic target in MCL, we performed genetic knockdown of SAE1 and SAE2 using both shRNA and an inducible CRISPR/Cas9 system and found significant reduction in viability of MCL cells (p < 0.001) thus confirming that SUMOylation is essential for MCL survival. TAK-981 (Takeda Pharmaceuticals) is a potent and selective inhibitor of the SAE1/2 complex currently in a phase 1 clinical trial (NCT036483). We found that treatment of MCL cell lines with TAK-981 resulted in time- and dose-dependent cell death in 7 of 8 MCL cell lines (IC50 17 - 62.5 nM at 72 hr) which was associated with relevant decrease in protein sumoylation. MCL cells were sensitive to TAK regardless of ATM or p53 mutations. Finally, TAK-981 treatment prolonged the survival of SCID mice engrafted with a human MCL cell line (Jeko) compared with placebo control [median overall survival (OS): TAK-981, 34 days; placebo, 29 days, p = 0.008] and also extended the survival of a novel patient derived xenograft (PDX) mouse model of ibrutinib-resistant MCL (median OS: TAK-981, 60 days; placebo, 55 days, p = 0.001), thus establishing the in vivo efficacy of TAK-981 in models of aggressive MCL. Mechanistically, 24 hours of treatment with TAK-981 resulted in a profound G2M cell cycle arrest in 6 out of 7 TAK-981-sensitive MCL cell lines. Cell synchronization with palbociclib followed by release into TAK-981 showed significant apoptosis upon G2M re-entry. In addition, in p53-deficient MCL cell lines, we found rapid accumulation of polyploid and aneuploid cells followed by rapid cell death following 48 hours of drug exposure. These findings strongly support mitotic catastrophe as a significant mechanism of tumor cell death mediated by TAK-981. Upon fractionation of cells at distinct phases of the cell cycle, we found significantly increased levels of protein SUMOylation by both SUMO1 and SUMO2/3 at the G2M transition. Further mechanistic data will be presented at the meeting. Given the multiple immune dampening mechanisms of SUMOylation, we are currently studying the anti-MCL immune effects of TAK-981. To do this, we are employing a novel immunocompetent mouse model of MCL in which murine lymphoma cells from Eμ-SOX11/CCND1 double transgenic animals are adoptively transferred into syngeneic mice. These mice develop a systemic lymphoma with morphological, molecular, and phenotypic features characteristic of MCL resulting in death within 3-4 weeks. Preliminary results with this model show that treatment with TAK-981 leads to decrease in lymphoma burden and significant prolongation of survival. Studies into the immune mediated anti-lymphoma effects of TAK-981 using this model are ongoing and will be presented at the meeting. Together, our data strongly support further development of TAK-981 as a novel MCL therapeutic. Disclosures Huszar: Takeda Pharmaceuticals: Employment, Equity Ownership. Parekh:Karyopharm Inc.: Research Funding; Foundation Medicine Inc.: Consultancy; Celgene Corporation: Research Funding. Maddocks:BMS: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Teva: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Baiocchi:Prelude: Consultancy.


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 1807-1807
Author(s):  
Yuan Xiao Zhu ◽  
Chang-Xin Shi ◽  
Laura Bruins ◽  
Klaus Martin Kortuem ◽  
Jessica Schmidt ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 1807 We have recently demonstrated that cereblon (CRBN) mediates the direct anti-myeloma activity of immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs). However, the genes/pathways downstream of CRBN associated with anti-myeloma activity remain unclear. We, and others, identified interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) as one of the downstream targets of CRBN-associated signaling. Both lenalidomide treatment and CRBN knockdown downregulate IRF4. IRF4 levels return to baseline in IMiD resistant cells surviving CRBN silencing. To determine whether IMiD-induced IRF4 downregulation is critical to anti-MM activity, we overexpressed IRF4 in two IMiD-sensitive human MM cell lines (HMCLs), KMS11 and MM1.S, followed by lenalidomide treatment. Lenalidomide-induced cytotoxicity was greatly impaired in both HMCLs overexpressing IRF4 compared with the control virus infected cells. Further analysis indicated that IRF4 over-expression does not completely prevent lenalidomide-induced growth arrest, but reduces cell death by 70% after lenalidomide treatment. Immunoblotting analysis of KMS11 cells indicated that IRF4 over-expression blocks lenalidomide-induced activation of caspase 8, reduces up-regulation of p21waf and increases CDK6 expression but does not significantly affect lenalidomide-induced MYC down-regulation. Although cereblon and IRF4 are broadly expressed in MM, baseline levels of expression are only weakly correlated (r=0.22) in primary MM patient gene expression analysis. Gene expression studies revealed statistical changes in 1,368 genes when comparing high versus low CRBN expression in primary myeloma samples. Interestingly genes associated with high CRBN expression included cyclin D2, SOCS3 and IL4 while genes associated with low cereblon expression included cyclin D1, FRZB and CD200. In order to understand how CRBN is connected with downstream anti-myeloma signaling, a structure-function study was performed to determine which CRBN domain is required for lenalidomide-induced IRF4 down-regulation and cytotoxicity. Lentiviral constructs expressing wild-type CRBN and a series of mutated CRBN were generated, including mutations at thalidomide binding site (Y384A/W386A), deletion of DDB1 binding region (ΔMid) and truncations at N-terminal and C-terminal. Lentiviruses from these constructs were used to infect IMiDs resistant HMCLs, OCI-MY5 and MM1.S res. Both of these cell lines have very low endogenous CRBN expression and they became sensitive to lenalidomide after introduction of wild-type CRBN. Conversely, introduction of CRBN with mutated thalidomide-binding site or with DDB1 binding region depletion failed to mediate lenalidomide toxicity and down-regulation of IRF4. OCI-MY5 cells expressing either N-terminal or C-terminal truncated CRBN showed substantial reduced responses (more than 50%) to lenalidomide compared with wild-type CRBN expressing cells. Deletion of only 20–30 amino acids at either ends of CRBN greatly impaired the protein function, suggesting that protein folding might be important for CRBN-mediated IMiD response. Our data indicate that IMiD induced myeloma cytotoxicity is largely mediated by modifying CRBN associated E3 ubiqutin ligase and subsequent IRF4 downregulation, suggesting the CRBN-IRF4 axis is a potential target for development of new anti-myeloma drugs. Disclosures: Schmidt: Karyopharm: Research Funding. Stewart:Millenium: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Onyx: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 739-746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raj Kaushal ◽  
Nitesh Kumar ◽  
Archana Thakur ◽  
Kiran Nehra ◽  
Pamita Awasthi ◽  
...  

Abstract: Background: After the discovery of cisplatin, first non platinum anticancer drugs having excellent efficacy were budotitane and TiCl2(cp)2 but action mechanism is not clear. Therefore, we hereby reporting synthesis and biological activities novel titanium complexes to explore their mode of action. Objectives: Synthesis, spectral characterization, antibacterial and anticancer activity of some titanium complexes. Antibacterial studies on various bacterial strains and anticancer studies on HeLa, C6, CHO cancerous cell lines have been performed. Further, the cell death mechanistic study was done on CHO cell lines. Method: Titanium complexes with and without labile groups have been synthesized by reacting of TiCl4 with nitrogen containing ligands viz. 1,2-diaminocyclohexane, 1,10-Phenanthroline, adamantylamine, 2,2'-bipyridine, 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine in predetermined molar ratios. Antibacterial and anticancer studies were performed by agar well diffusion method and MTT assay respectively. Cell cycle analysis is done by using flow cytometry. Results: Complex 2 i.e TiCl2(Phen)2 showed better activity than other complexes as an antibacterial as well as anticancer agent. Phase contrast imaging indicates that observed morphological changes of cells was dose dependent. Cell death mechanistic study have shown the increase in sub G0 phase population as well as formation of blebbing and fragmentation of chromatin material which is an indicative measure of apoptosis. Conclusion: Complex 2 proved to be more effective bactericide and cytotoxic agent. Cell cycle analysis showed cell arrest in G0 phase. Apoptosis percentage was found to increase in a dose dependent manner. So, prepared titanium complexes can be put to use as an important chemotherapeutic agents.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 1457-1468
Author(s):  
Michelle X.G. Pereira ◽  
Amanda S.O. Hammes ◽  
Flavia C. Vasconcelos ◽  
Aline R. Pozzo ◽  
Thaís H. Pereira ◽  
...  

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) represents the largest number of annual deaths from hematologic malignancy. In the United States, it was estimated that 21.380 individuals would be diagnosed with AML and 49.5% of patients would die in 2017. Therefore, the search for novel compounds capable of increasing the overall survival rate to the treatment of AML cells is urgent. Objectives: To investigate the cytotoxicity effect of the natural compound pomolic acid (PA) and to explore the mechanism of action of PA in AML cell lines with different phenotypes. Methods: Three different AML cell lines, HL60, U937 and Kasumi-1 cells with different mechanisms of resistance were used to analyze the effect of PA on the cell cycle progression, on DNA intercalation and on human DNA topoisomerases (hTopo I and IIα) in vitro studies. Theoretical experiments of the inhibition of hTopo I and IIα were done to explore the binding modes of PA. Results: PA reduced cell viability, induced cell death, increased sub-G0/G1 accumulation and activated caspases pathway in all cell lines, altered the cell cycle distribution and inhibited the catalytic activity of both human DNA topoisomerases. Conclusion: Finally, this study showed that PA has powerful antitumor activity against AML cells, suggesting that this natural compound might be a potent antineoplastic agent to improve the treatment scheme of this neoplasm.


Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 925
Author(s):  
Eva-Maria Faulhaber ◽  
Tina Jost ◽  
Julia Symank ◽  
Julian Scheper ◽  
Felix Bürkel ◽  
...  

(1) Kinase inhibitors (KI) targeting components of the DNA damage repair pathway are a promising new type of drug. Combining them with ionizing radiation therapy (IR), which is commonly used for treatment of head and neck tumors, could improve tumor control, but could also increase negative side effects on surrounding normal tissue. (2) The effect of KI of the DDR (ATMi: AZD0156; ATRi: VE-822, dual DNA-PKi/mTORi: CC-115) in combination with IR on HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC and healthy skin cells was analyzed. Cell death and cell cycle arrest were determined using flow cytometry. Additionally, clonogenic survival and migration were analyzed. (3) Studied HNSCC cell lines reacted differently to DDRi. An increase in cell death for all of the malignant cells could be observed when combining IR and KI. Healthy fibroblasts were not affected by simultaneous treatment. Migration was partially impaired. Influence on the cell cycle varied between the cell lines and inhibitors; (4) In conclusion, a combination of DDRi with IR could be feasible for patients with HNSCC. Side effects on healthy cells are expected to be limited to normal radiation-induced response. Formation of metastases could be decreased because cell migration is impaired partially. The treatment outcome for HPV-negative tumors tends to be improved by combined treatment.


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