1
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Akwata D, Kempen AL, Dayal N, Brauer NR, Sintim HO. Identification of a Selective FLT3 Inhibitor with Low Activity against VEGFR, FGFR, PDGFR, c-KIT, and RET Anti-Targets. ChemMedChem 2024; 19:e202300442. [PMID: 37971283 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
FLT3 is mainly expressed in immune and various cancer cells and is a drug target for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Recently, FLT3 has also been identified as a potential target for treating chronic pain. Most FLT3 inhibitors (FLT3i) identified to date, including approved drugs such as gilteritinib, midostaurin, ponatinib, quizartinib, and FLT3i in clinical trials, such as quizartinib and crenolanib, also inhibit closely-related kinases that are important for immune (c-KIT), cardiovascular (KDR/VEGFR2, FGFR, PDGFR) or kidney (RET) functions. While the aforementioned FLT3i may increase survival rates in AML, they are neither ideal for AML maintenance therapy nor for non-oncology applications, such as for the treatment of chronic pain, due to their promiscuous inhibition of many kinase anti-targets. Here, we report the identification of new FLT3i compounds that have low activities against kinases that have traditionally been difficult to differentiate from FLT3 inhibition, such as KDR/VEGFR, FGFR, PGFR, c-KIT, and RET. These selective compounds could be valuable chemical probes for studying FLT3 biology in the context of chronic pain and/or may represent good starting points to develop well-tolerated FLT3 therapeutics for non-oncology indications or for maintenance therapy for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desmond Akwata
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, IN 47907, West Lafayette, USA
| | - Allison L Kempen
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, IN 47907, West Lafayette, USA
| | - Neetu Dayal
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, IN 47907, West Lafayette, USA
| | - Nickolas R Brauer
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, IN 47907, West Lafayette, USA
| | - Herman O Sintim
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, IN 47907, West Lafayette, USA
- Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, 720 Clinic Drive, IN 47907, West Lafayette, USA
- Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, 201 S. University St., IN 47907, West Lafayette, USA
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2
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Richardson GE, Al-Rajabi R, Uprety D, Hamid A, Williamson SK, Baranda J, Mamdani H, Lee YL, Nitika, Li L, Wang X, Dong X. A Multicenter, Open-Label, Phase I/II Study of FN-1501 in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2553. [PMID: 37174019 PMCID: PMC10177510 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND FN-1501, a potent inhibitor of receptor FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) and CDK4/6, KIT, PDGFR, VEGFR2, ALK, and RET tyrosine kinase proteins, has demonstrated significant in vivo activity in various solid tumor and leukemia human xenograft models. Anomalies in FLT3 have an established role as a therapeutic target where the gene has been shown to play a critical role in the growth, differentiation, and survival of various cell types in hematopoietic cancer and have shown promise in various solid tumors. An open-label, Phase I/II study (NCT03690154) was designed to evaluate the safety and PK profile of FN-1501 as monotherapy in patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors and relapsed, refractory (R/R) AML. METHODS Pts received FN-1501 IV three times a week for 2 weeks, followed by 1 week off treatment in continuous 21-day cycles. Dose escalation followed a standard 3 + 3 design. Primary objectives include the determination of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), safety, and recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D). Secondary objectives include pharmacokinetics (PK) and preliminary anti-tumor activity. Exploratory objectives include the relationship between pharmacogenetic mutations (e.g., FLT3, TP53, KRAS, NRAS, etc.), safety, and efficacy; as well as an evaluation of the pharmacodynamic effects of treatment with FN-1501. Dose expansion at RP2D further explored the safety and efficacy of FN-1501 in this treatment setting. RESULTS A total of 48 adult pts with advanced solid tumors (N = 47) and AML (N = 1) were enrolled at doses ranging from 2.5 to 226 mg IV three times a week for two weeks in 21-day cycles (2 weeks on and 1 week off treatment). The median age was 65 years (range 30-92); 57% were female and 43% were male. The median number of prior lines of treatment was 5 (range 1-12). Forty patients evaluable for dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) assessment had a median exposure of 9.5 cycles (range 1-18 cycles). Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were reported for 64% of the pts. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), defined as those occurring in ≥20% of pts, primarily consisted of reversible Grade 1-2 fatigue (34%), nausea (32%), and diarrhea (26%). The most common Grade ≥3 events occurring in ≥5% of pts consisted of diarrhea and hyponatremia. Dose escalation was discontinued due to DLTs of Grade 3 thrombocytopenia (N = 1) and Grade 3 infusion-related reaction (N = 1) occurring in 2 pts. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was determined to be 170 mg. CONCLUSIONS FN-1501 demonstrated reasonable safety, tolerability, and preliminary activity against solid tumors in doses up to 170 mg. Dose escalation was terminated based on 2 DLTs occurring at the 226 mg dose level.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Raed Al-Rajabi
- University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS 64114, USA
| | - Dipesh Uprety
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Anis Hamid
- Cabrini Health, Malvern, VIC 3144, Australia
| | | | | | - Hirva Mamdani
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Ya-Li Lee
- Fosun Pharma USA, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
| | - Nitika
- Fosun Pharma USA, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
| | - Li Li
- Fosun Pharma USA, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
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3
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Camacho V, Kuznetsova V, Welner RS. Inflammatory Cytokines Shape an Altered Immune Response During Myeloid Malignancies. Front Immunol 2021; 12:772408. [PMID: 34804065 PMCID: PMC8595317 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.772408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune microenvironment is a critical driver and regulator of leukemic progression and hematological disease. Recent investigations have demonstrated that multiple immune components play a central role in regulating hematopoiesis, and dysfunction at the immune cell level significantly contributes to neoplastic disease. Immune cells are acutely sensitive to remodeling by leukemic inflammatory cytokine exposure. Importantly, immune cells are the principal cytokine producers in the hematopoietic system, representing an untapped frontier for clinical interventions. Due to a proinflammatory cytokine environment, dysregulation of immune cell states is a hallmark of hematological disease and neoplasia. Malignant immune adaptations have profound effects on leukemic blast proliferation, disease propagation, and drug-resistance. Conversely, targeting the immune landscape to restore hematopoietic function and limit leukemic expansion may have significant therapeutic value. Despite the fundamental role of the immune microenvironment during the initiation, progression, and treatment response of hematological disease, a detailed examination of how leukemic cytokines alter immune cells to permit, promote, or inhibit leukemia growth is lacking. Here we outline an immune-based model of leukemic transformation and highlight how the profound effect of immune alterations on the trajectory of malignancy. The focus of this review is to summarize current knowledge about the impacts of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines on immune cells subsets, their modes of action, and immunotherapeutic approaches with the potential to improve clinical outcomes for patients suffering from hematological myeloid malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Camacho
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Valeriya Kuznetsova
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Robert S Welner
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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4
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Crosstalk between Cancer Cells and Fibroblasts for the Production of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 in the Murine 4T1 Breast Cancer. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2021; 43:1726-1740. [PMID: 34698088 PMCID: PMC8928936 DOI: 10.3390/cimb43030122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2) is shown to promote the progression of breast cancer. We previously identified cancer cell-derived granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as a potential regulator of MCP-1 production in the murine 4T1 breast cancer, but it played a minimum role in overall MCP-1 production. Here, we evaluated the crosstalk between 4T1 cells and fibroblasts. When fibroblasts were co-cultured with 4T1 cells or stimulated with the culture supernatants of 4T1 cells (4T1-sup), MCP-1 production by fibroblasts markedly increased. 4T1 cells expressed mRNA for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-a, b and c, and the PDGF receptor inhibitor crenolanib almost completely inhibited 4T1-sup-induced MCP-1 production by fibroblasts. However, PDGF receptor antagonists failed to reduce MCP-1 production in tumor-bearing mice. Histologically, 4T1 tumors contained a small number of αSMA-positive fibroblasts, and Mcp-1 mRNA was mainly associated with macrophages, especially those surrounding necrotic lesions on day 14, by in situ hybridization. Thus, although cancer cells have the capacity to crosstalk with fibroblasts via PDGFs, this crosstalk does not play a major role in MCP-1 production or cancer progression in this model. Unraveling complex crosstalk between cancer cells and stromal cells will help us identify new targets to help treat breast cancer patients.
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Quizartinib-resistant FLT3-ITD acute myeloid leukemia cells are sensitive to the FLT3-Aurora kinase inhibitor CCT241736. Blood Adv 2021; 4:1478-1491. [PMID: 32282883 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019000986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Internal tandem duplication of FLT3 (FLT3-ITD) is one of the most common somatic mutations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML); it causes constitutive activation of FLT3 kinase and is associated with high relapse rates and poor survival. Small-molecule inhibition of FLT3 represents an attractive therapeutic strategy for this subtype of AML, although resistance from secondary FLT3 tyrosine kinase domain (FLT3-TKD) mutations is an emerging clinical problem. CCT241736 is an orally bioavailable, selective, and potent dual inhibitor of FLT3 and Aurora kinases. FLT3-ITD+ cells with secondary FLT3-TKD mutations have high in vitro relative resistance to the FLT3 inhibitors quizartinib and sorafenib, but not to CCT241736. The mechanism of action of CCT241736 results in significant in vivo efficacy, with inhibition of tumor growth observed in efficacy studies in FLT3-ITD and FLT3-ITD-TKD human tumor xenograft models. The efficacy of CCT241736 was also confirmed in primary samples from AML patients, including those with quizartinib-resistant disease, which induces apoptosis through inhibition of both FLT3 and Aurora kinases. The unique combination of CCT241736 properties based on robust potency, dual selectivity, and significant in vivo activity indicate that CCT241736 is a bona fide clinical drug candidate for FLT3-ITD and TKD AML patients with resistance to current drugs.
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6
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Tremblay CS, Chiu SK, Saw J, McCalmont H, Litalien V, Boyle J, Sonderegger SE, Chau N, Evans K, Cerruti L, Salmon JM, McCluskey A, Lock RB, Robinson PJ, Jane SM, Curtis DJ. Small molecule inhibition of Dynamin-dependent endocytosis targets multiple niche signals and impairs leukemia stem cells. Nat Commun 2020; 11:6211. [PMID: 33277497 PMCID: PMC7719179 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20091-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Intensive chemotherapy for acute leukemia can usually induce complete remission, but fails in many patients to eradicate the leukemia stem cells responsible for relapse. There is accumulating evidence that these relapse-inducing cells are maintained and protected by signals provided by the microenvironment. Thus, inhibition of niche signals is a proposed strategy to target leukemia stem cells but this requires knowledge of the critical signals and may be subject to compensatory mechanisms. Signals from the niche require receptor-mediated endocytosis, a generic process dependent on the Dynamin family of large GTPases. Here, we show that Dynole 34-2, a potent inhibitor of Dynamin GTPase activity, can block transduction of key signalling pathways and overcome chemoresistance of leukemia stem cells. Our results provide a significant conceptual advance in therapeutic strategies for acute leukemia that may be applicable to other malignancies in which signals from the niche are involved in disease progression and chemoresistance. The tumour microenvironment provides signals to support leukaemic stem cells (LSC) maintenance and chemoresistance. Here, the authors show that disrupting niche-associated signalling by inhibiting receptor-mediated endocytosis with a dynamin GTPase inhibitor overcomes chemoresistance of LSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cedric S Tremblay
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Sung Kai Chiu
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Clinical Haematology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jesslyn Saw
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Hannah McCalmont
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Children's Cancer Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Veronique Litalien
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jacqueline Boyle
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stefan E Sonderegger
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ngoc Chau
- Cell Signalling Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kathryn Evans
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Children's Cancer Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Loretta Cerruti
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jessica M Salmon
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Adam McCluskey
- Chemistry, Centre for Chemical Biology, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard B Lock
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Children's Cancer Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Phillip J Robinson
- Cell Signalling Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stephen M Jane
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Clinical Haematology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David J Curtis
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Clinical Haematology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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7
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Marensi V, Keeshan KR, MacEwan DJ. Pharmacological impact of FLT3 mutations on receptor activity and responsiveness to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 183:114348. [PMID: 33242449 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML) is an aggressive blood cancer characterized by the rapid proliferation of immature myeloid blast cells, resulting in a high mortality rate. The 5-year overall survival rate for AML patients is approximately 25%. Circa 35% of all patients carry a mutation in the FLT3 gene which have a poor prognosis. Targeting FLT3 receptor tyrosine kinase has become a treatment strategy in AML patients possessing FLT3 mutations. The most common mutations are internal tandem duplications (ITD) within exon 14 and a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that leads to a point mutation in the D835 of the tyrosine kinase domain (TKD). Variations in the ITD sequence and the occurrence of other point mutations that lead to ligand-independent FLT3 receptor activation create difficulties in developing personalized therapeutic strategies to overcome observed mutation-driven drug resistance. Midostaurin and quizartinib are tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with inhibitory efficacy against FLT3-ITD, but exhibit limited clinical impact. In this review, we focus on the structural aspects of the FLT3 receptor and correlate those mutations with receptor activation and the consequences for molecular and clinical responsiveness towards therapies targeting FLT3-ITD positive AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Marensi
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Karen R Keeshan
- Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - David J MacEwan
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
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8
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Peterlin P, Chevallier P, Knapper S, Collin M. FLT3 ligand in acute myeloid leukemia: a simple test with deep implications. Leuk Lymphoma 2020; 62:264-270. [PMID: 33078658 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2020.1834091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In contrast to Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3), the influence of FLT3 ligand (FLT3L) on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) biology and disease prognosis has been poorly described. Here we provide an overview of the role played by FLT3L in AML. While being a cytokine implicated in the regulation of hematopoiesis, both in normal situation and after intensive chemotherapy, FLT3L has also a role in enhancing proliferation, inhibiting apoptosis and conferring resistance to FLT3 inhibitors in AML. Moreover, recent independent data show how its measurement may be helpful in the disease management. Indeed, FLT3L could provide a low cost, rapid and noninvasive assessment of chemosensitivity and blast clearance that has robust prognostic significance for patients with AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Peterlin
- Hematology Clinic, CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France.,CRCINA, INSERM, CNRS, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Patrice Chevallier
- Hematology Clinic, CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France.,CRCINA, INSERM, CNRS, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Steven Knapper
- Division of Cancer & Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Matthew Collin
- Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute and NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
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9
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Jain G, Thakral D, Sahoo RK, Kumar I, Vashishtha S, Verma P, Gupta R. Next generation sequencing guided treatment modulation and prognosis in Acute myeloid leukemia: Case vignettes. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BLOOD RESEARCH 2020; 10:134-144. [PMID: 32923093 PMCID: PMC7486490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The genomic mutational landscape of Acute Myeloid Leukemia has contributed to better treatment options, risk stratification and prognostication of this genetically heterogeneous disease. With several approved new drugs targeting specific mutations with better outcomes, we describe here two cases of AML in which, NPM1 was detected at diagnosis. The impact of age, type of treatment, stability of NPM1 mutation, and co-occurring mutations on survival are the essential parameters for investigation. METHOD Both the cases of AML were females, >60 years of age with normal 46XX karyotype. Allele specific RT-PCR and fragment analysis was performed for the detection of NPM1-A mutation at diagnosis. Both the patients were unfit for intensive chemotherapy therefore reduced intensity induction chemotherapy regimen was initially administered. Next-generation sequencing was performed for comprehensive mutational profiling, which guided targeted treatment, prognostic stratification, and response assessment. RESULT We report that the older AML patients with NPM1 mutation may not have a good outcome with intensive chemotherapy, especially patients with concurrent DNMT3A/IDH-1/2 mutations. In the second case with mutated NPM1, concurrent FLT3-ITD mutation served as a therapeutic target. The FLT3 inhibitor used in combination with standard therapy showed promising results in this case. CONCLUSION Here, we emphasize on the utility of next generation sequencing in guiding the treatment initiation or modulation during the disease course and risk stratification in AML. In conclusion, conventional chemotherapy in AML gives very poor overall survival rates and targeted chemotherapy against specific mutations may drastically improve patient survival and treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garima Jain
- Laboratory Oncology Unit, Dr BR Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical SciencesNew Delhi, India
| | - Deepshi Thakral
- Laboratory Oncology Unit, Dr BR Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical SciencesNew Delhi, India
| | - Ranjit Kumar Sahoo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dr BR Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical SciencesNew Delhi, India
| | - Indresh Kumar
- Laboratory Oncology Unit, Dr BR Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical SciencesNew Delhi, India
| | - Sangeeta Vashishtha
- Laboratory Oncology Unit, Dr BR Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical SciencesNew Delhi, India
| | - Pramod Verma
- Laboratory Oncology Unit, Dr BR Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical SciencesNew Delhi, India
| | - Ritu Gupta
- Laboratory Oncology Unit, Dr BR Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical SciencesNew Delhi, India
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10
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Kim C, Kim E. Rational Drug Design Approach of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Type III Inhibitors. Curr Med Chem 2020; 26:7623-7640. [PMID: 29932031 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180622143548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Rational drug design is accomplished through the complementary use of structural biology and computational biology of biological macromolecules involved in disease pathology. Most of the known theoretical approaches for drug design are based on knowledge of the biological targets to which the drug binds. This approach can be used to design drug molecules that restore the balance of the signaling pathway by inhibiting or stimulating biological targets by molecular modeling procedures as well as by molecular dynamics simulations. Type III receptor tyrosine kinase affects most of the fundamental cellular processes including cell cycle, cell migration, cell metabolism, and survival, as well as cell proliferation and differentiation. Many inhibitors of successful rational drug design show that some computational techniques can be combined to achieve synergistic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheolhee Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Korea
| | - Eunae Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Korea
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11
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Ha YN, Song S, Orlikova-Boyer B, Cerella C, Christov C, Kijjoa A, Diederich M. Petromurin C Induces Protective Autophagy and Apoptosis in FLT3-ITD-Positive AML: Synergy with Gilteritinib. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:md18010057. [PMID: 31963113 PMCID: PMC7024157 DOI: 10.3390/md18010057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains inefficient due to drug resistance and relapse, particularly in patients with FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3)-internal tandem duplication (ITD). Marine-derived natural products have recently been used for drug development against AML. We show in this study that petromurin C, which was isolated from the culture extract of the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus candidus KUFA0062, isolated from the marine sponge Epipolasis sp., induces early autophagy followed by apoptotic cell death via activation of the intrinsic cell death pathway concomitant with mitochondrial stress and downregulation of Mcl-1 in FLT3-ITD mutated MV4-11 cells. Moreover, petromurin C synergized with the clinically-used FLT3 inhibitor gilteritinib at sub-toxic concentrations. Altogether, our results provide preliminary indications that petromurin C provides anti-leukemic effects alone or in combination with gilteritinib.
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MESH Headings
- Aniline Compounds/administration & dosage
- Aniline Compounds/pharmacology
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/pharmacology
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Aquatic Organisms/chemistry
- Autophagy/drug effects
- Biological Products/administration & dosage
- Biological Products/pharmacology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Down-Regulation/drug effects
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
- Drug Synergism
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Pyrazines/administration & dosage
- Pyrazines/pharmacology
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- U937 Cells
- Zebrafish
- fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3/genetics
- fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- You Na Ha
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08626, Korea; (Y.N.H.); (S.S.)
| | - Sungmi Song
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08626, Korea; (Y.N.H.); (S.S.)
| | - Barbora Orlikova-Boyer
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire du Cancer, Hôpital Kirchberg, 9, rue Edward Steichen, L-2540 Luxembourg, Luxembourg; (B.O.-B.); (C.C.)
| | - Claudia Cerella
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire du Cancer, Hôpital Kirchberg, 9, rue Edward Steichen, L-2540 Luxembourg, Luxembourg; (B.O.-B.); (C.C.)
| | - Christo Christov
- Service d’Histologie, Faculté de Médicine, Université de Lorraine, INSERM U1256 NGERE, 54000 Nancy, France;
| | - Anake Kijjoa
- ICBAS-Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Lexões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Marc Diederich
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08626, Korea; (Y.N.H.); (S.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-880-8919
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12
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Winer ES, Stone RM. Novel therapy in Acute myeloid leukemia (AML): moving toward targeted approaches. Ther Adv Hematol 2019; 10:2040620719860645. [PMID: 31321011 PMCID: PMC6624910 DOI: 10.1177/2040620719860645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogenous and complex disease characterized by rapid cellular proliferation, an aggressive clinical course, and generally high mortality. While progress has been made in the understanding of the genetic and molecular biology of the disease, the standard of care for patients had only changed minimally over the past 40 years. Recently, rapid movement of potentially useful agents from bench to bedside has translated into new therapies either recently approved or in clinical trials. These therapies include improved chemotherapies, mutationally targeted inhibitors, pro-apoptotic agents, microenvironment targeting molecules, cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors, and epigenetic regulators. Furthermore, advances in immunotherapy employ monoclonal and bispecific antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, checkpoint inhibitors, and vaccines provide an alternative pathway for AML treatment. In this review, we discuss the recent results of completed or ongoing clinical trials with these novel therapeutic agents in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric S. Winer
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Leukemia Division,
Department of Medical Oncology, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Richard M. Stone
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Leukemia Division,
Department of Medical Oncology, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02115,
USA
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13
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Nagai K, Hou L, Li L, Nguyen B, Seale T, Shirley C, Ma H, Levis M, Ghiaur G, Duffield A, Small D. Combination of ATO with FLT3 TKIs eliminates FLT3/ITD+ leukemia cells through reduced expression of FLT3. Oncotarget 2018; 9:32885-32899. [PMID: 30250637 PMCID: PMC6152471 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with FLT3/ITD mutations have a poor prognosis. Monotherapy with selective FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have shown transient and limited efficacy due to the development of resistance. Arsenic trioxide (ATO, As2O3) has been proven effective in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and has shown activity in some cases of refractory and relapsed AML and other hematologic malignances. We explored the feasibility of combining FLT3 TKIs with ATO in the treatment of FLT3/ITD+ leukemias. The combination of FLT3 TKIs with ATO showed synergistic effects in reducing proliferation, viability and colony forming ability, and increased apoptosis in FLT3/ITD+ cells and primary patient samples. In contrast, no cooperativity was observed against wild-type FLT3 leukemia cells. ATO reduced expression of FLT3 RNA and its upstream transcriptional regulators (HOXA9, MEIS1), and induced poly-ubiquitination and degradation of the FLT3 protein, partly through reducing its binding with USP10. ATO also synergizes with FLT3 TKIs to inactivate FLT3 autophosphorylation and phosphorylation of its downstream signaling targets, including STAT5, AKT and ERK. Furthermore, ATO combined with sorafenib, a FLT3 TKI, in vivo reduced growth of FLT3/ITD+ leukemia cells in NSG recipients. In conclusion, these results suggest that ATO is a potential candidate to study in clinical trials in combination with FLT3 TKIs to improve the treatment of FLT3/ITD+ leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kozo Nagai
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lihong Hou
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Li Li
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bao Nguyen
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tessa Seale
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Courtney Shirley
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hayley Ma
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mark Levis
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gabriel Ghiaur
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amy Duffield
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Donald Small
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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14
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Mitchell K, Barreyro L, Todorova TI, Taylor SJ, Antony-Debré I, Narayanagari SR, Carvajal LA, Leite J, Piperdi Z, Pendurti G, Mantzaris I, Paietta E, Verma A, Gritsman K, Steidl U. IL1RAP potentiates multiple oncogenic signaling pathways in AML. J Exp Med 2018; 215:1709-1727. [PMID: 29773641 PMCID: PMC5987926 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20180147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The surface molecule interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein (IL1RAP) is consistently overexpressed across multiple genetic subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other myeloid malignancies, including at the stem cell level, and is emerging as a novel therapeutic target. However, the cell-intrinsic functions of IL1RAP in AML cells are largely unknown. Here, we show that targeting of IL1RAP via RNA interference, genetic deletion, or antibodies inhibits AML pathogenesis in vitro and in vivo, without perturbing healthy hematopoietic function or viability. Furthermore, we found that the role of IL1RAP is not restricted to the IL-1 receptor pathway, but that IL1RAP physically interacts with and mediates signaling and pro-proliferative effects through FLT3 and c-KIT, two receptor tyrosine kinases with known key roles in AML pathogenesis. Our study provides a new mechanistic basis for the efficacy of IL1RAP targeting in AML and reveals a novel role for this protein in the pathogenesis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Mitchell
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Laura Barreyro
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | | | - Samuel J Taylor
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | | | | | - Luis A Carvajal
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Joana Leite
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Zubair Piperdi
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Gopichand Pendurti
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Division of Hemato-Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
| | - Ioannis Mantzaris
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Division of Hemato-Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
| | - Elisabeth Paietta
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Division of Hemato-Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
- Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Amit Verma
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Division of Hemato-Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
- Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Kira Gritsman
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Division of Hemato-Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
- Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Ulrich Steidl
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Division of Hemato-Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
- Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
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15
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Kowolik CM, Lin M, Xie J, Overman LE, Horne DA. NT1721, a novel epidithiodiketopiperazine, exhibits potent in vitro and in vivo efficacy against acute myeloid leukemia. Oncotarget 2018; 7:86186-86197. [PMID: 27863389 PMCID: PMC5349906 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive malignancy characterized by heterogeneous genetic and epigenetic changes in hematopoietic progenitors that lead to abnormal self-renewal and proliferation. Despite high initial remission rates, prognosis remains poor for most AML patients, especially for those harboring internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations in the fms-related tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3). Here, we report that a novel epidithiodiketopiperazine, NT1721, potently decreased the cell viability of FLT3-ITD+ AML cell lines, displaying IC50 values in the low nanomolar range, while leaving normal CD34+ bone marrow cells largely unaffected. The IC50 values for NT1721 were significantly lower than those for clinically used AML drugs (i.e. cytarabine, sorafenib) in all tested AML cell lines regardless of their FLT3 mutation status. Moreover, combinations of NT1721 with sorafenib or cytarabine showed better antileukemic effects than the single agents in vitro. Combining cytarabine with NT1721 also attenuated the cytarabine-induced FLT3 ligand surge that has been linked to resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Mechanistically, NT1721 depleted DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) protein levels, leading to the re-expression of silenced tumor suppressor genes and apoptosis induction. NT1721 concomitantly decreased the expression of EZH2 and BMI1, two genes that are associated with the maintenance of leukemic stem/progenitor cells. In a systemic FLT3-ITD+ AML mouse model, treatment with NT1721 reduced tumor burdens by > 95% compared to the control and significantly increased survival times. Taken together, our results suggest that NT1721 may represent a promising novel agent for the treatment of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia M Kowolik
- Department of Molecular Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Min Lin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Jun Xie
- Department of Molecular Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Larry E Overman
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - David A Horne
- Department of Molecular Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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16
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Abstract
FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML), despite not being recognized as a distinct entity in the World Health Organization (WHO) classification system, is readily recognized as a particular challenge by clinical specialists who treat acute leukemia. This is especially true with regards to the patients harboring the most common type of FLT3 mutation, the internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) mutation. Here we present 4 patient cases from our institution and discuss how our management reflects what we have learned about this subtype of the disease. We also reflect on how we anticipate the management might change in the near future, with the emergence of clinically useful tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
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17
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Wu M, Hamaker M, Li L, Small D, Duffield AS. DOCK2 interacts with FLT3 and modulates the survival of FLT3-expressing leukemia cells. Leukemia 2016; 31:688-696. [PMID: 27748370 PMCID: PMC5332301 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2016.284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Revised: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3) gene is the most commonly mutated gene in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and patients carrying internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations have a poor prognosis. Long-term inhibition of FLT3 activity in these patients has been elusive. To provide a more complete understanding of FLT3 biology, a mass spectroscopy-based screen was performed to search for FLT3-interacting proteins. The screen identified dedicator of cytokinesis 2 (DOCK2), which is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rho GTPases, and its expression is limited to hematolymphoid cells. We show that DOCK2 is expressed in leukemia cell lines and primary AML samples, and DOCK2 co-immunoprecipitates with wild-type FLT3 and FLT3/ITD. Knock-down (KD) of DOCK2 by shRNA selectively reduced cell proliferation and colony formation in leukemia cell lines with increased FLT3 activity, and greatly sensitized these cells to cytarabine treatment, alone and in combination with FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitors. DOCK2 KD in a FLT3/ITD-positive leukemia cell line also significantly prolonged survival in a mouse xenograft model. These findings suggest that DOCK2 is a potential therapeutic target for novel AML treatments, as this protein regulates the survival of leukemia cells with elevated FLT3 activity and sensitizes FLT3/ITD leukemic cells to conventional anti-leukemic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Wu
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - M Hamaker
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - L Li
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - D Small
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - A S Duffield
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
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18
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Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Need for Innovative Treatment Strategies to Improve Outcome. CLINICAL LYMPHOMA MYELOMA & LEUKEMIA 2016; 15 Suppl:S104-8. [PMID: 26297261 DOI: 10.1016/j.clml.2015.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Relapse continues to be a major hurdle in achieving cure in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The outcome after relapse is not uniform in all patients with AML and is dependent on several prognostic variables, including age, cytogenetics at initial diagnosis, duration of first complete remission, whether an allogeneic stem cell transplant was performed during first complete remission, and the presence of a number of molecular aberrations. Despite extensive research over the past several decades, there is no standard of care for treating patients with relapsed AML. This is possibly due to the accrual of patients with widely different disease profiles in most trials for relapsed AML. With increasing insights into the disease biology based on identification of pathogenic and aberrant molecular and cellular pathways, novel therapeutic strategies are emerging. Hopefully in the near future, we can improve the outcome of patients with relapsed AML with treatment strategies based on identification of specific targets and methods to overcome these aberrant processes.
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19
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Gill H, Leung AYH, Kwong YL. Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Myelodysplastic Syndrome: Implications on Targeted Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:440. [PMID: 27023522 PMCID: PMC4848896 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17040440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a group of heterogeneous clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorders characterized by cytopenia, ineffective hematopoiesis, and progression to secondary acute myeloid leukemia in high-risk cases. Conventional prognostication relies on clinicopathological parameters supplemented by cytogenetic information. However, recent studies have shown that genetic aberrations also have critical impacts on treatment outcome. Moreover, these genetic alterations may themselves be a target for treatment. The mutation landscape in MDS is shaped by gene aberrations involved in DNA methylation (TET2, DNMT3A, IDH1/2), histone modification (ASXL1, EZH2), the RNA splicing machinery (SF3B1, SRSF2, ZRSR2, U2AF1/2), transcription (RUNX1, TP53, BCOR, PHF6, NCOR, CEBPA, GATA2), tyrosine kinase receptor signaling (JAK2, MPL, FLT3, GNAS, KIT), RAS pathways (KRAS, NRAS, CBL, NF1, PTPN11), DNA repair (ATM, BRCC3, DLRE1C, FANCL), and cohesion complexes (STAG2, CTCF, SMC1A, RAD21). A detailed understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms leading to transformation is critical for designing single-agent or combinatorial approaches in target therapy of MDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harinder Gill
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
| | | | - Yok-Lam Kwong
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
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20
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Lau CM, Nish SA, Yogev N, Waisman A, Reiner SL, Reizis B. Leukemia-associated activating mutation of Flt3 expands dendritic cells and alters T cell responses. J Exp Med 2016; 213:415-31. [PMID: 26903243 PMCID: PMC4813676 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20150642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Lau et al. show that the FLT3-ITD mutation directly affects dendritic cell development in preleukemic mice, indirectly modulating T cell homeostasis and supporting the expansion of regulatory T cells. A common genetic alteration in acute myeloid leukemia is the internal tandem duplication (ITD) in FLT3, the receptor for cytokine FLT3 ligand (FLT3L). Constitutively active FLT3-ITD promotes the expansion of transformed progenitors, but also has pleiotropic effects on hematopoiesis. We analyzed the effect of FLT3-ITD on dendritic cells (DCs), which express FLT3 and can be expanded by FLT3L administration. Pre-leukemic mice with the Flt3ITD knock-in allele manifested an expansion of classical DCs (cDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs. The expansion originated in DC progenitors, was cell intrinsic, and was further enhanced in Flt3ITD/ITD mice. The mutation caused the down-regulation of Flt3 on the surface of DCs and reduced their responsiveness to Flt3L. Both canonical Batf3-dependent CD8+ cDCs and noncanonical CD8+ cDCs were expanded and showed specific alterations in their expression profiles. Flt3ITD mice showed enhanced capacity to support T cell proliferation, including a cell-extrinsic expansion of regulatory T (T reg) cells. Accordingly, these mice restricted alloreactive T cell responses during graft-versus-host reaction, but failed to control autoimmunity without T reg cells. Thus, the FLT3-ITD mutation directly affects DC development, indirectly modulating T cell homeostasis and supporting T reg cell expansion. We hypothesize that this effect of FLT3-ITD might subvert immunosurveillance and promote leukemogenesis in a cell-extrinsic manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen M Lau
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016 Department of Medicine, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
| | - Simone A Nish
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
| | - Nir Yogev
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Mainz 55131, Germany
| | - Ari Waisman
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Mainz 55131, Germany
| | - Steven L Reiner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
| | - Boris Reizis
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016 Department of Medicine, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
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21
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Abstract
FLT3/ITD acute myeloid leukemia is a poor prognosis disease driven by a constitutively activated receptor tyrosine kinase, making it an obvious target for drug development. The development of clinically effective FLT3 inhibitors has been slow, in part because many are multi-targeted inhibitors that are not selective or specific for FLT3. Quizartinib is the first small molecule FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitor expressly developed as a FLT3 inhibitor. It is potent, selective and has ideal pharmacokinetics in comparison to other compounds previously tested. This article summarizes its advantages and limitations, and details the insights into the biology of the disease that have been uncovered through the laboratory and clinical use of quizartinib.
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22
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Regulation of Stat5 by FAK and PAK1 in Oncogenic FLT3- and KIT-Driven Leukemogenesis. Cell Rep 2014; 9:1333-48. [PMID: 25456130 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.10.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2013] [Revised: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 10/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic mutations of FLT3 and KIT receptors are associated with poor survival in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), and currently available drugs are largely ineffective. Although Stat5 has been implicated in regulating several myeloid and lymphoid malignancies, how precisely Stat5 regulates leukemogenesis, including its nuclear translocation to induce gene transcription, is poorly understood. In leukemic cells, we show constitutive activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) whose inhibition represses leukemogenesis. Downstream of FAK, activation of Rac1 is regulated by RacGEF Tiam1, whose inhibition prolongs the survival of leukemic mice. Inhibition of the Rac1 effector PAK1 prolongs the survival of leukemic mice in part by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of Stat5. These results reveal a leukemic pathway involving FAK/Tiam1/Rac1/PAK1 and demonstrate an essential role for these signaling molecules in regulating the nuclear translocation of Stat5 in leukemogenesis.
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23
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Annesley CE, Brown P. The Biology and Targeting of FLT3 in Pediatric Leukemia. Front Oncol 2014; 4:263. [PMID: 25295230 PMCID: PMC4172015 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2014.00263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite remarkable improvement in treatment outcomes in pediatric leukemia over the past several decades, the prognosis for high-risk groups of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), as well as for relapsed leukemia, remains poor. Intensification of chemotherapy regimens for those at highest risk has improved success rates, but at the cost of significantly increased morbidity and long-term adverse effects. With the success of imatinib in Philadelphia-chromosome-positive leukemia and all-trans retinoic acid in acute promyelocytic leukemia, the quest to find additional molecularly targeted therapies has generated much excitement over recent years. Another such possible target in pediatric acute leukemia is FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3). FLT3 aberrations are among the most frequently identified transforming events in AML, and have significant clinical implications in both high-risk pediatric AML and in certain high-risk groups of pediatric ALL. Therefore, the successful targeting of FLT3 has tremendous potential to improve outcomes in these subsets of patients. This article will give an overview of the molecular function and signaling of the FLT3 receptor, as well as its pathogenic role in leukemia. We review the discovery of targeting FLT3, discuss currently available FLT3 inhibitors in pediatric leukemia and results of clinical trials to date, and finally, consider the future promise and challenges of FLT3 inhibitor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen E. Annesley
- Oncology and Pediatrics, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Patrick Brown
- Oncology and Pediatrics, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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24
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Approximately 23% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients younger than 60 years of age carry a mutation in the transmembrane domain of the FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3) gene (FLT3/internal tandem duplications [ITD]). In normal karyotype AML, the presence of a FLT3/ITD mutation is associated with poor prognosis, as mirrored by a high risk of relapse even after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. The poor prognostic impact along with the observation that FLT3 is frequently overexpressed in the majority of AML cases has formed the platform for the development of FLT3-targeted strategies. To date, several FLT3 kinase inhibitors have been investigated in preclinical and clinical studies. However, as of yet, none of the studied FLT3 inhibitors has received FDA approval for routine clinical use in AML. This is in part due to the 'off target' effects observed with most inhibitors when administered at concentrations needed to achieve sustained levels of FLT3 inhibition, which are required to exhibit substantial cytotoxic effects against leukemic blasts. Furthermore, the development of resistance mutations has emerged as a clinical issue posing a threat to successful FLT3 inhibitor therapy. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors provide a brief summary of FLT3 inhibitors investigated thus far, and discuss current treatment approaches and strategies how to best incorporate FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) into therapy. EXPERT OPINION The combination of a FLT3 inhibitor with conventional chemotherapeutic regimens, epigenetic modifiers or inhibitors of FLT3 downstream and collateral effectors has emerged as a promising strategy to improve treatment outcome. The future of a tailored, molecular-based treatment approach for FLT3-mutated AML demands novel clinical trial concepts based on harmonized and aligned research goals between clinical and research centers and industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiko Konig
- Johns Hopkins University, Medical Oncology , 1650 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD , USA
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25
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Gourdin TS, Zou Y, Ning Y, Emadi A, Duong VH, Tidwell ML, Chen C, Rassool FV, Baer MR. High frequency of rare structural chromosome abnormalities at relapse of cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia with FLT3 internal tandem duplication. Cancer Genet 2014; 207:467-73. [PMID: 25441683 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2014.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Revised: 08/30/2014] [Accepted: 09/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
FLT3 internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations are present in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in 30% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), most commonly in those with a normal karyotype, and are associated with short relapse-free survival. Both in vitro and in vivo studies of FLT3-ITD cell lines have demonstrated reactive oxygen species-mediated DNA double-strand breaks and associated error-prone DNA repair as a mechanism of genomic instability, and we hypothesized that genomic instability might be manifested by cytogenetic changes at relapse of FLT3-ITD AML. We retrospectively reviewed charts of patients with cytogenetically normal (CN) FLT3-ITD AML treated at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center, with attention to metaphase analysis results at relapse. Cytogenetic data were available from first and, when applicable, subsequent relapses for 15 patients diagnosed with CN FLT3-ITD AML. Among 12 patients with documented FLT3-ITD at first and, when applicable, subsequent relapse, 10 had cytogenetic changes, including nine with rare structural abnormalities. The high frequency of rare structural chromosome abnormalities at relapse in our case series supports a role of genomic instability in the genesis of relapse, and suggests that reactive oxygen species-generating and DNA repair pathways might be therapeutic targets in FLT3-ITD AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore S Gourdin
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD; Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Ying Zou
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Yi Ning
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Ashkan Emadi
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD; Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Vu H Duong
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD; Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Michael L Tidwell
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD; Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Ching Chen
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Feyruz V Rassool
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Maria R Baer
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD; Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
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Fiskus W, Sharma S, Qi J, Shah B, Devaraj SGT, Leveque C, Portier BP, Iyer S, Bradner JE, Bhalla KN. BET protein antagonist JQ1 is synergistically lethal with FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and overcomes resistance to FLT3-TKI in AML cells expressing FLT-ITD. Mol Cancer Ther 2014; 13:2315-27. [PMID: 25053825 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-14-0258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Recently, treatment with bromodomain and extraterminal protein antagonist (BA) such as JQ1 has been shown to inhibit growth and induce apoptosis of human acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cells, including those expressing FLT3-ITD. Here, we demonstrate that cotreatment with JQ1 and the FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) ponatinib or AC220 synergistically induce apoptosis of cultured and primary CD34(+) human AML blast progenitor cells (BPC) expressing FLT3-ITD. Concomitantly, as compared with each agent alone, cotreatment with JQ1 and the FLT3-TKI caused greater attenuation of c-MYC, BCL2, and CDK4/6. Simultaneously, cotreatment with JQ1 and the FLT3-TKI increased the levels of p21, BIM, and cleaved PARP, as well as mediated marked attenuation of p-STAT5, p-AKT, and p-ERK1/2 levels in AML BPCs. Conversely, cotreatment with JQ1 and FLT3-TKI was significantly less active against CD34(+) normal bone marrow progenitor cells. Knockdown of BRD4 by short hairpin RNA also sensitized AML cells to FLT3-TKI. JQ1 treatment induced apoptosis of mouse Ba/F3 cells ectopically expressing FLT3-ITD with or without FLT3-TKI-resistant mutations F691L and D835V. Compared with the parental human AML FLT3-ITD-expressing MOLM13, MOLM13-TKIR cells resistant to AC220 were markedly more sensitive to JQ1-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, cotreatment with JQ1 and the pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDI) panobinostat synergistically induced apoptosis of FLT3-TKI-resistant MOLM13-TKIR and MV4-11-TKIR cells. Collectively, these findings support the rationale for determining the in vivo activity of combined therapy with BA and FLT3-TKI against human AML cells expressing FLT3-ITD or with BA and HDI against AML cells resistant to FLT3-TKI.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sunil Sharma
- University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Jun Qi
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Bhavin Shah
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
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Schleifman EB, Tam R, Patel R, Tsan A, Sumiyoshi T, Fu L, Desai R, Schoenbrunner N, Myers TW, Bauer K, Smith E, Raja R. Next generation MUT-MAP, a high-sensitivity high-throughput microfluidics chip-based mutation analysis panel. PLoS One 2014; 9:e90761. [PMID: 24658394 PMCID: PMC3962342 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2013] [Accepted: 02/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular profiling of tumor tissue to detect alterations, such as oncogenic mutations, plays a vital role in determining treatment options in oncology. Hence, there is an increasing need for a robust and high-throughput technology to detect oncogenic hotspot mutations. Although commercial assays are available to detect genetic alterations in single genes, only a limited amount of tissue is often available from patients, requiring multiplexing to allow for simultaneous detection of mutations in many genes using low DNA input. Even though next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms provide powerful tools for this purpose, they face challenges such as high cost, large DNA input requirement, complex data analysis, and long turnaround times, limiting their use in clinical settings. We report the development of the next generation mutation multi-analyte panel (MUT-MAP), a high-throughput microfluidic, panel for detecting 120 somatic mutations across eleven genes of therapeutic interest (AKT1, BRAF, EGFR, FGFR3, FLT3, HRAS, KIT, KRAS, MET, NRAS, and PIK3CA) using allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR) and Taqman technology. This mutation panel requires as little as 2 ng of high quality DNA from fresh frozen or 100 ng of DNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Mutation calls, including an automated data analysis process, have been implemented to run 88 samples per day. Validation of this platform using plasmids showed robust signal and low cross-reactivity in all of the newly added assays and mutation calls in cell line samples were found to be consistent with the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) database allowing for direct comparison of our platform to Sanger sequencing. High correlation with NGS when compared to the SuraSeq500 panel run on the Ion Torrent platform in a FFPE dilution experiment showed assay sensitivity down to 0.45%. This multiplexed mutation panel is a valuable tool for high-throughput biomarker discovery in personalized medicine and cancer drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica B. Schleifman
- Oncology Biomarker Development, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Rachel Tam
- Oncology Biomarker Development, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Rajesh Patel
- Oncology Biomarker Development, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Alison Tsan
- Chemistry and Innovation Technology, Pleasanton, California, United States of America
| | - Teiko Sumiyoshi
- Oncology Biomarker Development, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Ling Fu
- Oncology Biomarker Development, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Rupal Desai
- Oncology Biomarker Development, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Nancy Schoenbrunner
- Chemistry and Innovation Technology, Pleasanton, California, United States of America
| | - Thomas W. Myers
- Program in Core Research, Roche Molecular Systems Inc., Pleasanton, California, United States of America
| | - Keith Bauer
- Program in Core Research, Roche Molecular Systems Inc., Pleasanton, California, United States of America
| | - Edward Smith
- Program in Core Research, Roche Molecular Systems Inc., Pleasanton, California, United States of America
| | - Rajiv Raja
- Oncology Biomarker Development, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Pawar R, Bali OPS, Malhotra BK, Lamba G. Recent advances and novel agents for FLT3 mutated acute myeloid leukemia. Stem Cell Investig 2014; 1:7. [PMID: 27358854 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2306-9759.2014.03.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2013] [Accepted: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a devastating hematologic malignancy that affects both older adults as well as children. Treatments available for AML largely depend on cytotoxic agents and often the only curative option is an allogeneic bone marrow transplant, an option limited to young persons and associated with high morbidity and mortality. There is an urgent need for the identification of new myeloid targets and an understanding of the key genetic mutations involved in disease progression and prognosis. One such mutation is the internal tandem duplication (ITD) in the FMS-like tyrosine kinase receptor-3 (FLT3) gene which confers an inferior outcome that is attributed to a higher relapse rate. In this review, we evaluate the FLT3-ITD mutation and discuss the recent data regarding emerging approaches using FLT3 inhibitors for the treatment of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Pawar
- 1 Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA ; 2 King Edward Memorial Hospital, Acharya Donde Marg, Parel, Mumbai 400 012, India ; 3 Department of Medicine, KU School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS 67214, USA ; 4 Department of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Omar Preet Singh Bali
- 1 Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA ; 2 King Edward Memorial Hospital, Acharya Donde Marg, Parel, Mumbai 400 012, India ; 3 Department of Medicine, KU School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS 67214, USA ; 4 Department of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Bharat Kumar Malhotra
- 1 Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA ; 2 King Edward Memorial Hospital, Acharya Donde Marg, Parel, Mumbai 400 012, India ; 3 Department of Medicine, KU School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS 67214, USA ; 4 Department of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Gurpreet Lamba
- 1 Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA ; 2 King Edward Memorial Hospital, Acharya Donde Marg, Parel, Mumbai 400 012, India ; 3 Department of Medicine, KU School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS 67214, USA ; 4 Department of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
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TTT-3002 is a novel FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitor with activity against FLT3-associated leukemias in vitro and in vivo. Blood 2014; 123:1525-34. [PMID: 24408321 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2013-08-523035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 35% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients harbor a constitutively activating mutation in FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3). The most common type, internal tandem duplication (ITD), confers poor prognosis. We report for the first time on TTT-3002, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that is one of the most potent FLT3 inhibitors discovered to date. Studies using human FLT3/ITD mutant leukemia cell lines revealed the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for inhibiting FLT3 autophosphorylation is from 100 to 250 pM. The proliferation IC50 for TTT-3002 in these same cells was from 490 to 920 pM. TTT-3002 also showed potent activity when tested against the most frequently occurring FLT3-activating point mutation, FLT3/D835Y, against which many current TKIs are ineffective. These findings were validated in vivo by using mouse models of FLT3-associated AML. Survival and tumor burden of mice in several FLT3/ITD transplantation models is significantly improved by administration of TTT-3002 via oral dosing. Finally, we demonstrated that TTT-3002 is cytotoxic to leukemic blasts isolated from FLT3/ITD-expressing AML patients, while displaying minimal toxicity to normal hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells from healthy blood and bone marrow donors. Therefore, TTT-3002 has demonstrated preclinical potential as a promising new FLT3 TKI in the treatment of FLT3-mutant AML.
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Abstract
Relapse after achieving a prior response remains one of the most important obstacles to improving the outcome of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although overall, the majority of patients with disease relapse do poorly, this is by no means uniform and a number of predictors of outcome have been identified. Previously, most trials of investigational agents in the setting of disease relapse in AML have accrued a wide range of patients with widely different patient and disease characteristics. With increased understanding of the biology of the neoplastic change in AML, and better identification of disease subsets based on their molecular characterization, target-specific novel agents are being developed that will hopefully lead to better strategies, not only for treating relapsed disease, but also for the initial induction treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhad Ravandi
- Department of Leukemia, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Unit 428, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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31
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Serve H, Krug U, Wagner R, Sauerland MC, Heinecke A, Brunnberg U, Schaich M, Ottmann O, Duyster J, Wandt H, Fischer T, Giagounidis A, Neubauer A, Reichle A, Aulitzky W, Noppeney R, Blau I, Kunzmann V, Stuhlmann R, Krämer A, Kreuzer KA, Brandts C, Steffen B, Thiede C, Müller-Tidow C, Ehninger G, Berdel WE. Sorafenib in Combination With Intensive Chemotherapy in Elderly Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Results From a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Clin Oncol 2013; 31:3110-8. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2012.46.4990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 258] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The prognosis of elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is still dismal even with intensive chemotherapy. In this trial, we compared the antileukemic activity of standard induction and consolidation therapy with or without the addition of the kinase inhibitor sorafenib in elderly patients with AML. Patients and Methods All patients received standard cytarabine and daunorubicin induction (7+3 regimen) and up to two cycles of intermediate-dose cytarabine consolidation. Two hundred one patients were equally randomly assigned to receive either sorafenib or placebo between the chemotherapy cycles and subsequently for up to 1 year after the beginning of therapy. The primary objective was to test for an improvement in event-free survival (EFS). Overall survival (OS), complete remission (CR) rate, tolerability, and several predefined subgroup analyses were among the secondary objectives. Results Age, sex, CR and early death (ED) probability, and prognostic factors were balanced between both study arms. Treatment in the sorafenib arm did not result in significant improvement in EFS or OS. This was also true for subgroup analyses, including the subgroup positive for FLT3 internal tandem duplications. Results of induction therapy were worse in the sorafenib arm, with higher treatment-related mortality and lower CR rates. More adverse effects occurred during induction therapy in the sorafenib arm, and patients in this arm received less consolidation chemotherapy as a result of higher induction toxicity. Conclusion In conclusion, combination of standard induction and consolidation therapy with sorafenib in the schedule investigated in our trial is not beneficial for elderly patients with AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hubert Serve
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Utz Krug
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Ruth Wagner
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - M. Cristina Sauerland
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Achim Heinecke
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Uta Brunnberg
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Markus Schaich
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Oliver Ottmann
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Justus Duyster
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Hannes Wandt
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Thomas Fischer
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Aristoteles Giagounidis
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Andreas Neubauer
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Albrecht Reichle
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Walter Aulitzky
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Richard Noppeney
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Igor Blau
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Volker Kunzmann
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Reingard Stuhlmann
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Alwin Krämer
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Karl-Anton Kreuzer
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Christian Brandts
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Björn Steffen
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Christian Thiede
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Carsten Müller-Tidow
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Gerhard Ehninger
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
| | - Wolfgang E. Berdel
- Hubert Serve, Uta Brunnberg, Oliver Ottmann, Christian Brandts, Björn Steffen, Goethe-University, Frankfurt; Utz Krug, Ruth Wagner, Carsten Müller-Tidow, and Wolfgang E. Berdel, University Hospital; Ruth Wagner, M. Cristina Sauerland, Achim Heinecke, University of Muenster, Muenster; Markus Schaich, Christian Thiede, and Gerhard Ehninger, University Hospital, Dresden; Justus Duyster, Technische Universität München, München; Hannes Wandt, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg; Thomas Fischer, University Hospital,
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Bailey EJ, Duffield AS, Greenblatt SM, Aplan PD, Small D. Effect of FLT3 ligand on survival and disease phenotype in murine models harboring a FLT3 internal tandem duplication mutation. Comp Med 2013; 63:218-226. [PMID: 23759524 PMCID: PMC3690427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2012] [Revised: 11/14/2012] [Accepted: 12/09/2012] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Many of the mutations contributing to leukemogenesis in acute myeloid leukemia have been identified. A common activating mutation is an internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutation in the FLT3 gene that is found in approximately 25% of patients and confers a poor prognosis. FLT3 inhibitors have been developed and have some efficacy, but patients often relapse. Levels of FLT3 ligand (FL) are significantly elevated in patients during chemotherapy and may be an important component contributing to relapse. We used a mouse model to investigate the possible effect of FL expression on leukemogenesis involving FLT3-ITD mutations in an in vivo system. FLT3(ITD/ITD) FL(-/-) (knockout) mice had a statistically significant increase in survival compared with FLT3(ITD/ITD) FL(+/+) (wildtype) mice, most of which developed a fatal myeloproliferative neoplasm. These findings suggest that FL levels may have prognostic significance in human patients. We also studied the effect of FL expression on survival in a FLT3-ITD NUP98-HOX13 (NHD13) fusion mouse model. These mice develop an aggressive leukemia with short latency. We asked whether FL expression played a similar role in this context. The NUP98-HOX13 FLT3(ITD/wt) FL(-/-) mice did not have a survival advantage, compared with NUP98-HOX13 FLT3(ITD/wt) FL(+/+) mice (normal FL levels). The loss of the survival advantage of the FL knockout group in the NUP98-HOX13 model suggests that adding a second mutation changes the effect of FL expression in the context of more aggressive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amy S Duffield
- Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Peter D Aplan
- Genetics Branch, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
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Aljitawi OS, Li D, Xiao Y, Zhang D, Ramachandran K, Stehno-Bittel L, Van Veldhuizen P, Lin TL, Kambhampati S, Garimella R. A novel three-dimensional stromal-based model for in vitro chemotherapy sensitivity testing of leukemia cells. Leuk Lymphoma 2013; 55:378-91. [PMID: 23566162 DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2013.793323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The disparate response of leukemia cells to chemotherapy in vivo, compared to in vitro, is partly related to the interaction of leukemic cells and the three-dimensional bone marrow stromal microenvironment. We investigated the effects of chemotherapy agents on leukemic cell lines co-cultured with human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hu-BM-MSCs) in a three-dimensional model (3D). Comparison was made to leukemic cells treated in suspension, or grown on a hu-BM-MSC monolayer (2D conditions). We demonstrated that leukemic cells cultured in 3D were more resistant to drug-induced apoptosis compared to cells cultured in 2D or in suspension. We also demonstrated significant differences in leukemic cell response to chemotherapy using different leukemic cell lines cultured in 3D. We suggest that the differential responses to chemotherapy in 3D may be related to the expression of N-cadherin in the co-culture system. This unique model provides an opportunity to study leukemic cell responses to chemotherapy in 3D.
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Verstraete K, Savvides SN. Extracellular assembly and activation principles of oncogenic class III receptor tyrosine kinases. Nat Rev Cancer 2012; 12:753-66. [PMID: 23076159 DOI: 10.1038/nrc3371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular signalling cascades initiated by class III receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK-IIIs) and their cytokine ligands contribute to haematopoiesis and mesenchymal tissue development. They are also implicated in a wide range of inflammatory disorders and cancers. Recent snapshots of RTK-III ectodomains in complex with cognate cytokines have revealed timely insights into the structural determinants of RTK-III activation, evolution and pathology. Importantly, candidate 'driver' and 'passenger' mutations that have been identified in RTK-IIIs can now be collectively mapped for the first time to structural scaffolds of the corresponding RTK-III ectodomains. Such insights will generate a renewed interest in dissecting the mechanistic effects of such mutations and their therapeutic relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Verstraete
- Unit for Structural Biology, Laboratory for Protein Biochemistry and Biomolecular Engineering, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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Jin L, Tabe Y, Lu H, Borthakur G, Miida T, Kantarjian H, Andreeff M, Konopleva M. Mechanisms of apoptosis induction by simultaneous inhibition of PI3K and FLT3-ITD in AML cells in the hypoxic bone marrow microenvironment. Cancer Lett 2012; 329:45-58. [PMID: 23036488 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2012.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2012] [Revised: 09/18/2012] [Accepted: 09/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the antileukemia effects and molecular mechanisms of apoptosis induction by simultaneous blockade of PI3K and mutant FLT3 in AML cells grown under hypoxia in co-cultures with bone marrow stromal cells. Combined treatment with selective class I PI3K inhibitor GDC-0941 and sorafenib reversed the protective effects of bone marrow stromal cells on FLT3-mutant AML cells in hypoxia, which was associated with downregulation of Pim-1 and Mcl-1 expression levels. These findings suggest that combined inhibition of PI3K and FLT3-ITD may constitute a targeted approach to eradicating chemoresistant AML cells sequestered in hypoxic bone marrow niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linhua Jin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Fluvastatin inhibits FLT3 glycosylation in human and murine cells and prolongs survival of mice with FLT3/ITD leukemia. Blood 2012; 120:3069-79. [PMID: 22927251 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2012-01-403493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
FLT3 is frequently mutated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but resistance has limited the benefit of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). We demonstrate that statins can impair FLT3 glycosylation, thus leading to loss of surface expression and induction of cell death, as well as mitigation of TKI resistance. Immunofluorescence microscopy confirms a reduction in surface localization and an increase in intracellular FLT3/internal tandem duplication (ITD) accumulation. This aberrant localization was associated with increased STAT5 activation but inhibition of both MAPK and AKT phosphorylation. Growth inhibition studies indicate that FLT3/ITD-expressing cells were killed with an IC(50) within a range of 0.2-2μM fluvastatin. Several mechanisms of resistance could be circumvented by fluvastatin treatment. An increase in the IC(50) for inhibition of phosphorylated FLT3/ITD by lestaurtinib caused by exogenous FLT3 ligand, resistance to sorafenib caused by the D835Y or FLT3/ITD N676K mutations, and activation of the IL-3 compensatory pathway were all negated by fluvastatin treatment. Finally, fluvastatin treatment in vivo reduced engraftment of BaF3 FLT3/ITD cells in Balb/c mice. These results demonstrate that statins, a class of drugs already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, might be repurposed for the management of FLT3 mutant acute myeloid leukemia cases either alone or in conjunction with FLT3 TKI.
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Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly heterogenous disease with multiple signaling pathways contributing to its pathogenesis. A key driver of AML is the FMS-like tyrosine kinase receptor-3 (FLT3). Activating mutations in FLT3, primarily the FLT3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD), are associated with decreased progression-free and overall survival. Identification of the importance of FLT3-ITD and the FLT3 pathway in the prognosis of patients with AML has stimulated efforts to develop therapeutic inhibitors of FLT3. Although these inhibitors have shown promising antileukemic activity, they have had limited efficacy to date as single agents and may require use in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapies. Here, we review clinical and preclinical results for the clinically mature FLT3 inhibitors currently in development. We conclude that multitargeted FLT3 inhibitors may have more utility earlier in the course of disease, when in vitro evidence suggests that AML cells are less dependent on FLT3 signaling, perhaps because of upregulation of multiple other signaling pathways. More potent agents may have greater utility in relapsed and heavily pretreated patients, in whom high levels of circulating FLT3 ligand may necessitate use of an agent with a very favorable pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile. Novel combination regimens are also discussed.
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Razumovskaya E, Sun J, Rönnstrand L. Inhibition of MEK5 by BIX02188 induces apoptosis in cells expressing the oncogenic mutant FLT3-ITD. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2011; 412:307-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2011.07.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2011] [Accepted: 07/21/2011] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia with a FLT3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3/ITD) mutation is an aggressive hematologic malignancy with a generally poor prognosis. It can be successfully treated into remission with intensive chemotherapy, but it routinely relapses. At relapse, the blasts tend to have higher mutant allelic ratios and, in vitro, are more addicted to the aberrant signaling from the FLT3/ITD oncoprotein. They remain highly responsive to FLT3 ligand, the levels of which rise several-fold during the course of chemotherapy. The question now arises as to whether these high levels of FLT3 ligand are actually promoting relapse, and, if so, how we can use this information to adjust our therapeutic approach and improve the cure rate for acute myeloid leukemia with FLT3/ITD.
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