1
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Cheung LC, Aya-Bonilla C, Cruickshank MN, Chiu SK, Kuek V, Anderson D, Chua GA, Singh S, Oommen J, Ferrari E, Hughes AM, Ford J, Kunold E, Hesselman MC, Post F, Faulk KE, Breese EH, Guest EM, Brown PA, Loh ML, Lock RB, Kees UR, Jafari R, Malinge S, Kotecha RS. Preclinical efficacy of azacitidine and venetoclax for infant KMT2A-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia reveals a new therapeutic strategy. Leukemia 2023; 37:61-71. [PMID: 36380143 PMCID: PMC9883157 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01746-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Infants with KMT2A-rearranged B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have a dismal prognosis. Survival outcomes have remained static in recent decades despite treatment intensification and novel therapies are urgently required. KMT2A-rearranged infant ALL cells are characterized by an abundance of promoter hypermethylation and exhibit high BCL-2 expression, highlighting potential for therapeutic targeting. Here, we show that hypomethylating agents exhibit in vitro additivity when combined with most conventional chemotherapeutic agents. However, in a subset of samples an antagonistic effect was seen between several agents. This was most evident when hypomethylating agents were combined with methotrexate, with upregulation of ATP-binding cassette transporters identified as a potential mechanism. Single agent treatment with azacitidine and decitabine significantly prolonged in vivo survival in KMT2A-rearranged infant ALL xenografts. Treatment of KMT2A-rearranged infant ALL cell lines with azacitidine and decitabine led to differential genome-wide DNA methylation, changes in gene expression and thermal proteome profiling revealed the target protein-binding landscape of these agents. The selective BCL-2 inhibitor, venetoclax, exhibited in vitro additivity in combination with hypomethylating or conventional chemotherapeutic agents. The addition of venetoclax to azacitidine resulted in a significant in vivo survival advantage indicating the therapeutic potential of this combination to improve outcome for infants with KMT2A-rearranged ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence C Cheung
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Carlos Aya-Bonilla
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | - Sung K Chiu
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Vincent Kuek
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
- The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Denise Anderson
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Grace-Alyssa Chua
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Sajla Singh
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Joyce Oommen
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Emanuela Ferrari
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Anastasia M Hughes
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Jette Ford
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Elena Kunold
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, Sweden
| | - Maria C Hesselman
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, Sweden
| | - Frederik Post
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, Sweden
| | - Kelly E Faulk
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Erin H Breese
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Division of Oncology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Erin M Guest
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Patrick A Brown
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mignon L Loh
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Richard B Lock
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre/School of Women's and Children's Health/UNSW Centre for Childhood Cancer Research, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Ursula R Kees
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Rozbeh Jafari
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, Sweden
| | - Sébastien Malinge
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Rishi S Kotecha
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia.
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
- The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia.
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Abstract
Neonates are at risk for 3 major forms of leukemia in the first year of life: acute leukemia, juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, and transient abnormal myelopoiesis associated with Down syndrome. These disorders are rare but generate interest due to aggressive clinical presentation, suboptimal response to current therapies, and fascinating biology. Each can arise as a result of unique constitutional and acquired genetic events. Genetic insights are pointing the way toward novel therapeutic approaches. This article reviews key epidemiologic, clinical, and molecular features of neonatal leukemias, focusing on risk stratification, treatment, and strategies for developing novel molecularly targeted approaches to improve future outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick A Brown
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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3
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CCI-007, a novel small molecule with cytotoxic activity against infant leukemia with MLL rearrangements. Oncotarget 2018; 7:46067-46087. [PMID: 27317766 PMCID: PMC5216782 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need for the development of less toxic, more selective and targeted therapies for infants with leukemia characterized by translocation of the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene. In this study, we performed a cell-based small molecule library screen on an infant MLL-rearranged (MLL-r) cell line, PER-485, in order to identify selective inhibitors for MLL-r leukemia. After screening initial hits for a cytotoxic effect against a panel of 30 cell lines including MLL-r and MLL wild-type (MLL-wt) leukemia, solid tumours and control cells, small molecule CCI-007 was identified as a compound that selectively and significantly decreased the viability of a subset of MLL-r and related leukemia cell lines with CALM-AF10 and SET-NUP214 translocation. CCI-007 induced a rapid caspase-dependent apoptosis with mitochondrial depolarization within twenty-four hours of treatment. CCI-007 altered the characteristic MLL-r gene expression signature in sensitive cells with downregulation of the expression of HOXA9, MEIS1, CMYC and BCL2, important drivers in MLL-r leukemia, within a few hours of treatment. MLL-r leukemia cells that were resistant to the compound were characterised by significantly higher baseline gene expression levels of MEIS1 and BCL2 in comparison to CCI-007 sensitive MLL-r leukemia cells. In conclusion, we have identified CCI-007 as a novel small molecule that displays rapid toxicity towards a subset of MLL-r, CALM-AF10 and SET-NUP214 leukemia cell lines. Our findings suggest an important new avenue in the development of targeted therapies for these deadly diseases and indicate that different therapeutic strategies might be needed for different subtypes of MLL-r leukemia.
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4
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Brown LM, Hanna DT, Khaw SL, Ekert PG. Dysregulation of BCL-2 family proteins by leukemia fusion genes. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:14325-14333. [PMID: 28717011 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.r117.799056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The genomic lesions that characterize acute lymphoblastic leukemia in childhood include recurrent translocations that result in the expression of fusion proteins that typically involve genes encoding tyrosine kinases, cytokine receptors, and transcription factors. These genetic rearrangements confer phenotypic hallmarks of malignant transformation, including unrestricted proliferation and a relative resistance to apoptosis. In this Minireview, we discuss the molecular mechanisms that link these fusions to the control of cell death. We examine how these fusion genes dysregulate the BCL-2 family of proteins, preventing activation of the apoptotic effectors, BAX and BAK, and promoting cell survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M Brown
- From the Murdoch Children's Research Institute.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne
| | - Diane T Hanna
- the Royal Children's Hospital, and.,the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Seong L Khaw
- From the Murdoch Children's Research Institute.,the Royal Children's Hospital, and.,the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Paul G Ekert
- From the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, .,the Royal Children's Hospital, and
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Impact of loss of BH3-only proteins on the development and treatment of MLL-fusion gene-driven AML in mice. Cell Death Dis 2016; 7:e2351. [PMID: 27584789 PMCID: PMC5059861 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2016.258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of the apoptosis pathway controlled by opposing members of the Bcl-2 protein family plays a central role in cancer development and resistance to therapy. To investigate how pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 homology domain 3 (BH3)-only proteins impact on acute myeloid leukemia (AML), we generated mixed lineage leukemia (MLL)-AF9 and MLL-ENL AMLs from BH3-only gene knockout mice. Disease development was not accelerated by loss of Bim, Puma, Noxa, Bmf, or combinations thereof; hence these BH3-only proteins are apparently ineffectual as tumor suppressors in this model. We tested the sensitivity of MLL-AF9 AMLs of each genotype in vitro to standard chemotherapeutic drugs and to the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, with or without the BH3 mimetic ABT-737. Loss of Puma and/or Noxa increased resistance to cytarabine, daunorubicin and etoposide, while loss of Bim protected against cytarabine and loss of Bmf had no impact. ABT-737 increased sensitivity to the genotoxic drugs but was not dependent on any BH3-only protein tested. The AML lines were very sensitive to bortezomib and loss of Noxa conveyed significant resistance. In vivo, several MLL-AF9 AMLs responded well to daunorubicin and this response was highly dependent on Puma and Noxa but not Bim. Combination therapy with ABT-737 provided little added benefit at the daunorubicin dose trialed. Bortezomib also extended survival of AML-bearing mice, albeit less than daunorubicin. In summary, our genetic studies reveal the importance of Puma and Noxa for the action of genotoxics currently used to treat MLL-driven AML and suggest that, while addition of ABT-737-like BH3 mimetics might enhance their efficacy, new Noxa-like BH3 mimetics targeting Mcl-1 might have greater potential.
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6
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Opydo-Chanek M, Mazur L. Comparison of in vitro antileukemic activity of obatoclax and ABT-737. Tumour Biol 2016; 37:10839-49. [PMID: 26880588 PMCID: PMC4999481 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-016-4943-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Obatoclax and ABT-737 belong to a new class of anticancer agents known as BH3-mimetics. These agents antagonize the anti-apoptotic members of Bcl-2 family. The Bcl-2 proteins modulate sensitivity of many types of cancer cells to chemotherapy. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to examine and compare the antileukemic activity of obatoclax and ABT-737 applied alone, and in combination with anticancer agent, mafosfamide and daunorubicin. The in vitro cytotoxic effects of the tested agents on human leukemia cells were determined using the spectrophotometric MTT test, Coulter electrical impedance method, flow cytometry annexin V-fluorescein/propidium iodide assay, and light microscopy technique. The combination index analysis was used to quantify the extent of agent interactions. BH3 mimetics significantly decreased the leukemia cell viability and synergistically enhanced the cytotoxic effects induced by mafosfamide and daunorubicin. Obatoclax affected the cell viability to a greater degree than did ABT-737. In addition, various patterns of temporary changes in the cell volume and count, and in the frequency of leukemia cells undergoing apoptosis, were found 24 and 48 h after the tested agent application. ABT-737 combined with anticancer agents induced apoptosis more effectively than obatoclax when given in the same combination regimen. The results of the present study point to the different antileukemic activities of obatoclax and ABT-737, when applied alone, and in combination with anticancer agents. A better understanding of the exact mechanisms of BH3 mimetic action is of key importance for their optional use in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Opydo-Chanek
- Department of Experimental Hematology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Lidia Mazur
- Department of Experimental Hematology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
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7
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Zhang R, Wang SB, Chen AZ, Chen WG, Liu YG, Wu WG, Kang YQ, Ye SF. Codelivery of paclitaxel and small interfering RNA by octadecyl quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan-modified cationic liposome for combined cancer therapy. J Biomater Appl 2015; 30:351-60. [PMID: 25838353 DOI: 10.1177/0885328215579297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Conventional therapeutic approaches for cancer are limited by cancer cell resistance, which has impeded their clinical applications. The main goal of this work was to investigate the combined antitumor effect of paclitaxel with small interfering RNA modified by cationic liposome formed from modified octadecyl quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan. The cationic liposome was composed of 3β-[N-(N', N'-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl]-cholesterol, dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine, and octadecyl quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan. The cationic liposome properties were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and gel retardation assay. The cationic liposome exhibited good properties, such as a small particle size, a narrow particle size distribution, a good spherical shape, a smooth surface, and a good binding ability with small interfering RNA. Most importantly, when combined with paclitaxel and small interfering RNA, the composite cationic liposome induced a great enhancement in the antitumor activity, which showed a significantly higher in vitro cytotoxicity in Bcap-37 cells than liposomal paclitaxel or small interfering RNA alone. In conclusion, the results indicate that cationic liposome could be further developed as a codelivery system for chemotherapy drugs and therapeutic small interfering RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, China
| | - Shi-Bin Wang
- Department of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, China Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ai-Zheng Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, China Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, China
| | - Wei-Guang Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yuan-Gang Liu
- Department of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, China Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, China
| | - Wen-Guo Wu
- Department of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, China Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yong-Qiang Kang
- Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, China
| | - Shi-Fu Ye
- Department of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, China
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8
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Alford SE, Kothari A, Loeff FC, Eichhorn JM, Sakurikar N, Goselink HM, Saylors RL, Jedema I, Falkenburg JHF, Chambers TC. BH3 Inhibitor Sensitivity and Bcl-2 Dependence in Primary Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells. Cancer Res 2015; 75:1366-75. [PMID: 25649768 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-1849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Accepted: 12/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BH3 mimetic drugs may be useful to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) but the sensitivity of primary tumor cells has not been fully evaluated. Here, B-lineage ALL cell cultures derived from a set of primary tumors were studied with respect to sensitivity to the BH3 mimetics ABT-263 and ABT-199 and to Bcl-2 dependence and function. These ALL cells each expressed high levels of Bcl-2 and exhibited great sensitivity to ABT-263 and ABT-199, which induced rapid apoptotic cell death. BH3 profiling indicated that the ALL cultures were Bcl-2 dependent. Coimmunoprecipitation studies revealed a multifaceted role for Bcl-2 in binding proapoptotic partners including Bax, Bak, Bik, and Bim. ABT-263 disrupted Bcl-2:Bim interaction in cells. Mcl-1 overexpression rendered ALL cells resistant to ABT-263 and ABT-199, with Mcl-1 assuming the role of Bcl-2 in binding Bim. Freshly isolated pediatric ALL blasts also expressed high levels of Bcl-2 and exhibited high sensitivity to Bcl-2 inhibition by the BH3 mimetic compounds. Overall, our results showed that primary ALL cultures were both more sensitive to BH3 mimetics and more uniform in their response than established ALL cell lines that have been evaluated previously. Furthermore, the primary cell model characterized here offers a powerful system for preclinical testing of novel drugs and drug combinations to treat ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Alford
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Anisha Kothari
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Floris C Loeff
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Joshua M Eichhorn
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Nandini Sakurikar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Henriette M Goselink
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Robert L Saylors
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences at Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Inge Jedema
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Timothy C Chambers
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas.
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9
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D’Souza B, Bhowmik T, Uddin MN, Oettinger C, D’Souza M. Development ofβ-cyclodextrin-based sustained release microparticles for oral insulin delivery. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 2014; 41:1288-93. [DOI: 10.3109/03639045.2014.947507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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10
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Kotecha RS, Gottardo NG, Kees UR, Cole CH. The evolution of clinical trials for infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood Cancer J 2014; 4:e200. [PMID: 24727996 PMCID: PMC4003413 DOI: 10.1038/bcj.2014.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2014] [Accepted: 02/20/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in infants has a significantly inferior outcome in comparison with older children. Despite initial improvements in survival of infants with ALL since establishment of the first pediatric cooperative group ALL trials, the poor outcome has plateaued in recent years. Historically, infants were treated on risk-adapted childhood ALL protocols. These studies were pivotal in identifying the need for infant-specific protocols, delineating prognostic categories and the requirement for a more unified approach between study groups to overcome limitations in accrual because of low incidence. This subsequently led to the development of collaborative infant-specific studies. Landmark outcomes have included the elimination of cranial radiotherapy following the discovery of intrathecal and high-dose systemic therapy as a superior and effective treatment strategy for central nervous system disease prophylaxis, with improved neurodevelopmental outcome. Universal prospective identification of independent adverse prognostic factors, including presence of a mixed lineage leukemia rearrangement and young age, has established the basis for risk stratification within current trials. The infant-specific trials have defined limits to which conventional chemotherapeutic agents can be intensified to optimize the balance between treatment efficacy and toxicity. Despite variations in therapeutic intensity, there has been no recent improvement in survival due to the equilibrium between relapse and toxicity. Ultimately, to improve the outcome for infants with ALL, key areas still to be addressed include identification and adaptation of novel prognostic markers and innovative therapies, establishing the role of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in first complete remission, treatment strategies for relapsed/refractory disease and monitoring and timely intervention of late effects in survivors. This would be best achieved through a single unified international trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- R S Kotecha
- 1] Department of Haematology and Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, Western Australia, Australia [2] Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia [3] School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - N G Gottardo
- 1] Department of Haematology and Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, Western Australia, Australia [2] Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia [3] School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - U R Kees
- Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - C H Cole
- 1] Department of Haematology and Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, Western Australia, Australia [2] Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia [3] School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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11
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Jayanthan A, Cooper TM, Hoeksema KA, Lotfi S, Woldum E, Lewis VA, Narendran A. Occurrence and modulation of therapeutic targets of Aurora kinase inhibition in pediatric acute leukemia cells. Leuk Lymphoma 2012; 54:1505-16. [PMID: 23176524 DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2012.752079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is one of the most prevelant pediatric malignancies. Although cure rates have improved in recent decades, approximately one in five children relapse, and survival rates post-relapse remain low. Therefore, more effective and innovative therapeutic strategies are needed in order to improve the outcome in these children. Aurora kinases, a family of serine/threonine kinases essential for regulated mitosis, are overexpressed in many forms of cancer, and have been identified as potential targets for cancer therapeutics. Based on this premise, we evaluated the activity of the Aurora-A/B inhibitor AT9283 against pediatric leukemia cells. It was found that AT9283 significantly inhibited the growth and survival of cell lines derived from patients with pediatric leukemia. Specifically, AT9283 promoted Flt-3 dephosphorylation, inhibiting the activity of downstream effectors such as Erk and Mek. In addition, apoptotic markers were also identified, providing a panel of markers for biological correlative analysis for drug activity. Lastly, drug combination studies demonstrated the potential of several novel and conventional agents to synergize with AT9283, including apicidin, 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) and doxorubicin. These data provide a rationale for further studies and the formulation of a clinical trial of AT9283 for the treatment of refractory pediatric ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarthi Jayanthan
- Pediatric Oncology Experimental Therapeutics Investigators Consortium (POETIC) Laboratory for Pre-Clinical and Drug Discovery Studies, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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12
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Upregulating Noxa by ER stress, celastrol exerts synergistic anti-cancer activity in combination with ABT-737 in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. PLoS One 2012; 7:e52333. [PMID: 23284992 PMCID: PMC3527540 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2012] [Accepted: 11/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents biologically aggressive and chemo-resistant cancers. Owing to the low affinity with the apoptotic factor Mcl-1, the BH3 mimetic drug ABT-737 failed to exert potent cancer-killing activities in variety of cancer models including HCC. The current study demonstrated that combining ABT-737 and Celastrol synergistically suppressed HCC cell proliferation, and induced apoptosis which was accompanied with the activation of caspase cascade and release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. Further study revealed that the enhanced Noxa caused by Celastrol was the key factor for the synergy, since small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of Noxa expression in HCC cells resulted in decreased apoptosis and attenuated anti-proliferative effects of the combination. In addition, our study unraveled that, upon Celastrol exposure, the activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, specifically, the eIF2α-ATF4 pathway played indispensable roles in the activation of Noxa, which was validated by the observation that depletion of ATF4 significantly abrogated the Noxa elevation by Celastrol. Our findings highlight a novel signaling pathway through which Celastrol increase Noxa expression, and suggest the potential use of ATF4-mediated regulation of Noxa as a promising strategy to improve the anti-cancer activities of ABT-737.
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13
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Kotecha RS, Murch A, Kees U, Cole CH. Pre-natal, clonal origin of t(1;11)(p32;q23) acute lymphoblastic leukemia in monozygotic twins. Leuk Res 2012; 36:46-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2011.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2011] [Revised: 03/05/2011] [Accepted: 03/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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14
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Singh A, Jayanthan A, Farran A, Elwi AN, Kim SW, Farran P, Narendran A. Induction of apoptosis in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells by the therapeutic opioid methadone and effective synergy with Bcl-2 inhibition. Leuk Res 2011; 35:1649-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2011.06.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2011] [Revised: 06/25/2011] [Accepted: 06/25/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Mizukawa B, Wei J, Shrestha M, Wunderlich M, Chou FS, Griesinger A, Harris CE, Kumar AR, Zheng Y, Williams DA, Mulloy JC. Inhibition of Rac GTPase signaling and downstream prosurvival Bcl-2 proteins as combination targeted therapy in MLL-AF9 leukemia. Blood 2011; 118:5235-45. [PMID: 21940819 PMCID: PMC3217406 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2011-04-351817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2011] [Accepted: 09/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The Rac family of small Rho GTPases coordinates diverse cellular functions in hematopoietic cells including adhesion, migration, cytoskeleton rearrangements, gene transcription, proliferation, and survival. The integrity of Rac signaling has also been found to critically regulate cellular functions in the initiation and maintenance of hematopoietic malignancies. Using an in vivo gene targeting approach, we demonstrate that Rac2, but not Rac1, is critical to the initiation of acute myeloid leukemia in a retroviral expression model of MLL-AF9 leukemogenesis. However, loss of either Rac1 or Rac2 is sufficient to impair survival and growth of the transformed MLL-AF9 leukemia. Rac2 is known to positively regulate expression of Bcl-2 family proteins toward a prosurvival balance. We demonstrate that disruption of downstream survival signaling through antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins is implicated in mediating the effects of Rac2 deficiency in MLL-AF9 leukemia. Indeed, overexpression of Bcl-xL is able to rescue the effects of Rac2 deficiency and MLL-AF9 cells are exquisitely sensitive to direct inhibition of Bcl-2 family proteins by the BH3-mimetic, ABT-737. Furthermore, concurrent exposure to NSC23766, a small-molecule inhibitor of Rac activation, increases the apoptotic effect of ABT-737, indicating the Rac/Bcl-2 survival pathway may be targeted synergistically.
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MESH Headings
- Aminoquinolines/pharmacology
- Animals
- Biphenyl Compounds/pharmacology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Gene Expression
- Gene Knockdown Techniques
- Humans
- Leukemia, Biphenotypic, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Biphenotypic, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Biphenotypic, Acute/metabolism
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, SCID
- Mice, Transgenic
- Neuropeptides/antagonists & inhibitors
- Neuropeptides/deficiency
- Neuropeptides/genetics
- Nitrophenols/pharmacology
- Piperazines/pharmacology
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/antagonists & inhibitors
- Pyrimidines/pharmacology
- Signal Transduction
- Sulfonamides/pharmacology
- Transplantation, Heterologous
- bcl-X Protein/genetics
- rac GTP-Binding Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- rac GTP-Binding Proteins/deficiency
- rac GTP-Binding Proteins/genetics
- rac1 GTP-Binding Protein
- RAC2 GTP-Binding Protein
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Mizukawa
- Division of Oncology, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, OH 45229, USA
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Hoeksema KA, Jayanthan A, Cooper T, Gore L, Trippett T, Boklan J, Arceci RJ, Narendran A. Systematic in-vitro evaluation of the NCI/NIH Developmental Therapeutics Program Approved Oncology Drug Set for the identification of a candidate drug repertoire for MLL-rearranged leukemia. Onco Targets Ther 2011; 4:149-68. [PMID: 21949608 PMCID: PMC3176174 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s21553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite significant progress made in the overall cure rate, the prognosis for relapsed and refractory malignancies in children remains extremely poor. Hence, there is an urgent need for studies that enable the timely selection of appropriate agents for Phase I clinical studies. The Pediatric Oncology Experimental Therapeutics Investigators’ Consortium (POETIC) is systematically evaluating libraries of known and novel compounds for activity against subsets of high-risk pediatric malignancies with defined molecular aberrations for future clinical development. In this report, we describe the in-vitro activity of a diverse panel of approved oncology drugs against MLL-rearranged pediatric leukemia cell lines. Agents in the Approved Oncology Drug Set II (National Cancer Institute/National Institutes of Health Developmental Therapeutics Program) were evaluated by in-vitro cytotoxicity assays in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia cell lines with MLL gene rearrangements. Validation studies were carried out with patient leukemia cells in culture. Comparative analysis for toxicity against nonmalignant cells was evaluated in normal bone marrow stromal cells and normal human lymphocytes. Results from this study show that 42 of the 89 agents tested have measurable cytotoxicity against leukemia cells, and among these, 12 were effective against all five MLL-rearranged cell lines (IC50 [half maximal inhibitory concentration] < 1 μM). These 12 agents include cladribine, dactinomycin, daunorubicin, docetaxel, etoposide, gemcitabine, mitomycin C, mitoxantrone, teniposide, topotecan, triethylenemelamine, and vinblastine. We show that the Approved Oncology Drug Set II contains a number of agents with potent antileukemic activity in the tested cell lines. As approved drugs, these agents have been used in clinical settings for many years for other malignancies, thus their toxicity profile, pharmacokinetics, and other properties are readily available. Further evaluation of their use in future clinical trials for pediatric leukemia with MLL abnormalities should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley A Hoeksema
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, AB, Canada
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