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Kumana CR, Mak R, Kwong YL, Gill H. Resurrection of Oral Arsenic Trioxide for Treating Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia: A Historical Account From Bedside to Bench to Bedside. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1294. [PMID: 32850403 PMCID: PMC7418518 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Various forms of arsenic were used in China and elsewhere for over 5,000 years. Following the initial success of intravenous arsenic trioxide (i.v. As2O3), we revived an oral formulation of pure As2O3 in 1998 for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). We were the first to produce a 1 mg/ml oral-As2O3 solution and showed that it had comparable bioavailability to i.v. As2O3. Moreover, we also reported that intracellular arsenic concentrations were considerably higher than the corresponding plasma values. Our oral-As2O3 was patented internationally and registered in Hong Kong for the treatment of APL. Safety, tolerability and clinical efficacy was confirmed in long-term follow-up studies. We have extended the use of oral-As2O3 to frontline induction of newly diagnosed APL. With these findings, we are moving toward an era of completely oral and chemotherapy-free management of APL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyrus R Kumana
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Raymond Mak
- Department of Pharmacy, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yok-Lam Kwong
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Harinder Gill
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Wang J, Xu Z, Hu X, Yang Y, Su J, Liu Y, Zhou L, Qin J, Zhang D, Yu H. Epoxycytochalasin H: An Endophytic Phomopsis Compound Induces Apoptosis in A2780 Cells Through Mitochondrial Damage and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:4987-4997. [PMID: 32581557 PMCID: PMC7280062 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s253716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Natural compounds extracted from plants have been reported to have antitumor activity. A fungal metabolite from Phomopsis, identified as epoxycytochalasin H and isolated from the flowering plant Polygonatum sibiricum, was found to have significant antitumor activity. In this study, we report the antitumor effects and mechanism of action of epoxycytochalasin H in the ovarian cancer cell line A2780. Our data suggest that epoxycytochalasin H markedly reduces cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells. Materials and Methods The viability, apoptosis and colony formation of A2780 cells, treated with epoxycytochalasin H, were detected by MTT assay, nuclear staining, flow cytometry, and clone formation assay. MitoROS and mitochondrial membrane potentials were detected by MitoSOX staining and flow cytometry. The expression of proteins associated with apoptosis, autophagy, and endoplasmic reticulum stress, in A2780 cells treated with epoxycytochalasin H, was detected by Western blot. Effects of mitophagy were detected in Parkin-overexpressing 293T cells. Results Our data suggested that epoxycytochalasin H could strongly reduce cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in ovarian cancer cell line A2780. Epoxycytochalasin H induced apoptosis through mitochondrial injury, mitophagy, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Specifically, epoxycytochalasin H increased ROS level in cells, and in mitochondria, it decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, caused mitochondrial injury, activated macroautophagy and mitophagy, and subsequently induced apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway. Additionally, it was discovered that epoxycytochalasin H could induce apoptosis more significantly in 293T cells overexpressing Parkin than in the parental cells. Thus, the mitophagy activated by epoxycytochalasin H could promote apoptosis. In addition, epoxycytochalasin H mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress-related apoptosis. Conclusion Epoxycytochalasin H could promote apoptosis of human ovarian cancer A2780 cells by activating mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum stress-related apoptotic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiabin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China.,Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhonghang Xu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Colorectal and Anal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130033, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqing Hu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Yimeng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China.,Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Su
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianchun Qin
- College of Plant Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Dawei Zhang
- Center of Animal Experiment, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Huimei Yu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China.,Center of Animal Experiment, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
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He Z, Chen M, Huang Y, Chen L, Wang B, Wang H, Yang M, Xiao X, Lu Y, Chen J, Wu Y. Acute myeloid leukemia in an 86-year-old man with AML1/ETO treated with Homoharringtonine and Arsenic Trioxide: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2019; 98:e14998. [PMID: 30921216 PMCID: PMC6456030 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000014998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignantly clonal and highly heterogeneous disease. Although the treatment of AML has brought promising outcomes for younger patients, prognosis of the elderly remains dismal. Innovative regimens are increasingly necessary to be investigated. PATIENT CONCERNS We present an 86-year-old AML patient with fever, cough, and sputum production. DIAGNOSES A diagnosis of AML with maturation (AML-M2) and AML1/ETO was made. INTERVENTIONS The patient was treated with a regimen of Homoharringtonine coupled with arsenic trioxide. OUTCOMES The AML-M2 patient with AML1/ETO achieved incomplete remission, but showed few toxic side effects and improved survival. Besides, we analyzed the dynamic counts of complete blood cells during the treatment. The count of white blood cell had a positive correlation with the percentage of blast cells (r = 0.65), both of which had a negative correlation with the percentage of segmented neutrophils (r = -0.63, -0.89). LESSONS Homoharringtonine and arsenic trioxide may induce both the apoptosis and differentiation of leukemic cells in AML-M2 with AML1/ETO.
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Ling Y, Zhang Z, Zhang H, Huang Z. Protein Kinase Inhibitors as Therapeutic Drugs in AML: Advances and Challenges. Curr Pharm Des 2018; 23:4303-4310. [PMID: 28671056 PMCID: PMC6302345 DOI: 10.2174/1381612823666170703164114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 05/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignant blood disorder and the cure rate has been remarkably improved over the past decade. However, recurrent or refractory leu-kemia remains the major problem of the AML and no clearly effective therapy has been es-tablished so far. Traditional treatments such as chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are both far dissatisfying the patients partly for their individual variety. Be-sides, conventional treatments usually have many side effects to result in poor prognosis. Therefore, an urgent need is necessary to update therapies of AML. To date, protein kinase inhibitors as new drugs offer hope for AML treatment and many of them are on clinical tri-als. Here, this review will provide a brief summary of protein kinase inhibitors investigated in AML thus far, mainly including tyrosine protein kinase inhibitors and serine/threonine kinase inhibitors. We also presented the sketch of signal pathways involving protein kinase inhibitors, as well as discussed the clinical applications and the challenges of inhibitors in AML treatment
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Ling
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, P.R. China.,China-America Cancer Research Institute, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Dongguan Scientific Research Center, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, P.R. China
| | - Zikang Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, P.R. China.,China-America Cancer Research Institute, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Dongguan Scientific Research Center, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, P.R. China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, P.R. China.,China-America Cancer Research Institute, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Dongguan Scientific Research Center, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, P.R. China
| | - Zunnan Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, P.R. China.,China-America Cancer Research Institute, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Dongguan Scientific Research Center, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, P.R. China
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Treatment of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia with Single Agent Arsenic Trioxide: Experience from a Tertiary Care Center in India. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus 2016; 33:45-48. [PMID: 28194055 DOI: 10.1007/s12288-016-0668-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
APML is a highly curable hematological malignancy which is treated with differentiation agents and chemotherapy. The morbidity caused by chemotherapy in the treatment of APML is a great cause of concern. We treated 12 patients with newly diagnosed APML with single agent arsenic trioxide between 2010 and 2014 irrespective of risk stratification. Out of 12 patient 2 patients died during induction. All the ten patients who completed induction, completed their consolidation and maintenance without any delays. One out of these ten patients relapsed 10 months after treatment. The remaining nine patients (80 %) are in molecular remission and are under regular follow up. The toxicity with arsenic was negligible and was very well tolerated. Hence arsenic trioxide as single agent can be offered as a standard alternative regimen to ATRA based chemotherapy in patients with economic constraints.
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DONG XIAOYAN, MA NING, LIU MENGMENG, LIU ZILING. Effects of As 2O 3 nanoparticles on cell growth and apoptosis of NB4 cells. Exp Ther Med 2015; 10:1271-1276. [PMID: 26622477 PMCID: PMC4578042 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2015.2651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to explore the preparation of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) nanoparticles and examine the antitumor effects of these nanoparticles on NB4 cells. As2O3 nanoparticles were prepared using the sol-gel method and characterized using transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The results indicated that the As2O3 nanoparticles prepared in the present study were round or elliptical, well dispersed and had an ~40-nm or <10-nm diameter. The antitumor effects of As2O3 nanoparticles at various concentrations were analyzed by flow cytometry and the MTT assay, and were compared with those of traditional As2O3 solution. At the same concentration and incubation time (48 h), the survival rate of cells treated with As2O3 nanoparticles was significantly lower than that of cells treated with the As2O3 solution. The growth inhibition rate under both treatments was time- and dose-dependent. In addition, at the same concentration and incubation time, the apoptosis rate of the cells treated with As2O3 nanoparticles was significantly higher than that of the cells treated with the As2O3 solution. Furthermore, As2O3 nanoparticles resulted in a greater reduction in the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma 2 compared with the As2O3 solution. In conclusion, As2O3 nanoparticles, prepared using the sol-gel method, were found to produce a stronger cytotoxic effect on tumor cells than that produced by the As2O3 solution, possibly by inhibiting Bcl-2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- XIAOYAN DONG
- Department of Hematological Neoplasms, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - NING MA
- Department of Hematological Neoplasms, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - MENGMENG LIU
- Department of Hematological Neoplasms, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - ZILING LIU
- Department of Hematological Neoplasms, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
- Correspondence to: Dr Ziling Liu, Department of Hematological Neoplasms, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China, E-mail:
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Huang CH, Chen YJ, Chao TY, Liu WH, Changchien JJ, Hu WP, Chang LS. The Association Between p38 MAPK-Mediated TNF-α/TNFR2 up-Regulation and 2-(4-Aminophenyl)-7-Methoxybenzothiazole-Induced Apoptosis in Human Leukemia U937 Cells. J Cell Physiol 2015; 231:130-41. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2015] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hui Huang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences; National Sun Yat-Sen University; Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Ying-Jung Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences; National Sun Yat-Sen University; Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Yu Chao
- Laboratory Medicine Division; Zuoying Branch of Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital; Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Wen-Hsin Liu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences; National Sun Yat-Sen University; Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Jung-Jung Changchien
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences; National Sun Yat-Sen University; Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Wan-Ping Hu
- Department of Biotechnology; Kaohsiung Medical University; Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Long-Sen Chang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences; National Sun Yat-Sen University; Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology; Kaohsiung Medical University; Kaohsiung Taiwan
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8
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Zhang L, Chen QS, Xu PP, Qian Y, Wang AH, Xiao D, Zhao Y, Sheng Y, Wen XQ, Zhao WL. Catechins induced acute promyelocytic leukemia cell apoptosis and triggered PML-RARα oncoprotein degradation. J Hematol Oncol 2014; 7:75. [PMID: 25270015 PMCID: PMC4197244 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-014-0075-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It has recently been reported that the extracts of green tea polyphenol have cancer preventive effects. In this study, we investigated the effect of the natural composition from green tea leaves Catechins on acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Methods In vitro, APL cell lines NB4, retinoic acid-resistant NB4-R1 and NB4-R2 were treated with different concentrations of Catechins. Cell viability and cell apoptosis were analyzed using MTT assay and flow cytometric assay, respectively. Expression of proteins related to apoptosis and PML-RARα oncoprotein were assessed by Western blot. In vivo anti-tumor activity of Catechins was examined in nude mice xenografted with NB4 cells and in situ cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxytransferase-catalyzed DNA nick-end labeling assay. Results Catechins at micromolar concentration levels significantly inhibited APL cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis, in association with mitochondria damage, ROS production and caspase activation. The anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member Bcl-xL was down regulated, with pro-apoptotic member Bax remaining unchanged. Moreover, Catechins induced the degradation of PML-RARα oncoprotein. Catechins-mediated apoptotic effect was also observed in primary APL cells without affecting normal hematopoietic progenitor cells. In the murine xenograft model, Catechins remarkably inhibited tumor growth and induced in situ leukemic cell apoptosis. Conclusions Catechins might be a potential candidate for APL treatment by activating intrinsic apoptotic pathway and targeting PML-RARα oncoprotein.
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Zhou GB, Chen SJ, Chen Z. Acute promyelocytic leukemia: A model of molecular target based therapy. Hematology 2013; 10 Suppl 1:270-80. [PMID: 16188687 DOI: 10.1080/10245330512331390519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Leukemia, a group of hematological malignancies characterized by clonal expansion of hematopoietic cells with uncontrolled proliferation, decreased apoptosis and blocked differentiation, is one of the most notorious enemies of mankind which accounts for some 300,000 new cases and 222,000 deaths each year worldwide. Leukemia can be divided into acute or chronic, lymphoid or myeloid types, based on the disease progression and hematopoietic lineages involved 5. The responses of leukemia to therapies differ from one type or subtype to another. Hence, to improve the clinical outcome, the therapeutic strategies should be disease pathogenesis-based and individualized. The close collaboration between bench and bedside may not only shed new lights on leukemogenesis, gain insights into therapeutic mechanisms, but also provide opportunities for designing more rational therapies. The development of curative approaches for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) may serve as a paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Biao Zhou
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Rui Jin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Second Medical University 197, Rui Jin Road II, Shanghai, 200025, China
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André N, Banavali S, Snihur Y, Pasquier E. Has the time come for metronomics in low-income and middle-income countries? Lancet Oncol 2013; 14:e239-48. [PMID: 23639324 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(13)70056-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In 2008, 72% of cancer deaths occurred in low-income and middle-income countries, where, although there is a lower incidence of cancer than in high-income countries, survival rates are also low. Many patients are sent home to die, and an even larger number of patients do not have access to treatment facilities. New constraint-adapted therapeutic strategies are therefore urgently needed. Metronomic chemotherapy--the chronic administration of chemotherapy at low, minimally toxic doses on a frequent schedule of administration, with no prolonged drug-free breaks--has recently emerged as a potential strategy to control advanced or refractory cancer and represents an alternative for patients with cancer living in developing countries. This low-cost, well-tolerated, and easy to access strategy is an attractive therapeutic option in resource-limited countries. Moreover, combined with drug repositioning, additional anticancer effects can be achieved, ultimately resulting in improved cancer control while maintaining minimum cost of treatment. In this Personal View, we will briefly review the rationale behind the combination of metronomic chemotherapy and drug repositioning-an approach we term metronomics. We assess the clinical experience obtained with this kind of anticancer treatment and describe potential new developments in countries with limited resources. We also highlight the need for adapted clinical study endpoints and innovative models of collaboration between for-profit and non-profit organisations, to address the growing problem of cancer in resource-limited countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas André
- Service d'Hématologie et Oncologie Pédiatrique, AP-HM, Marseille, France.
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Pei R, Cao J, Ma J, Zhang P, Liu X, Du X, Chen D, Sha K, Chen L, Li S, Wu J, Fan Z, Lin L, Ye P, Tang S, Zhang B. Long term curative effects of sequential therapy with all-trans retinoic acid, arsenious oxide and chemotherapy on patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 17:311-6. [PMID: 23168069 DOI: 10.1179/102453312x13451850327262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Both all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) have proven to be very effective in obtaining high clinical complete remission (CR) rates in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). METHODS In this study, 73 newly diagnosed APL subjects were treated with an ATRA and As(2)O(3) combination treatment in remission induction and post remission therapy. Tumor burden was examined with PCR of the PML-RAR fusion transcripts, and side effects were evaluated by means of clinical examination. RESULTS The results showed that ATRA/As(2)O(3) combination therapy yielded a CR rate of 94.5% (69/73) with a shorter time to enter CR (median: 27 days; range: 21-43 days). Four cases failed to enter CR; three of these died of cerebral hemorrhage and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) within 72 hours of starting induction therapy, one older patient died of severe pulmonary infection. The early death rate was 5.5% (4/73). All 69 cases that obtained CR remained in good clinical remission after a follow-up of 35-74 months (median: 52 months).The drug toxicity profile with the use of As(2)O(3) showed mainly hepatotoxicity. Liver dysfunction was slight in most cases. There were no severe side effects in long term follow-up. CONCLUSION We conclude that APL patients may benefit from the use of the combination of ATRA and As(2)O(3) in either remission induction or consolidation/maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renzhi Pei
- Department of Hematology, Yinzhou People's Hospital, 251 Baizhang Road, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
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12
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Chen SJ, Zhou GB. Targeted therapy: The new lease on life for acute promyelocytic leukemia, and beyond. IUBMB Life 2012; 64:671-5. [PMID: 22714999 DOI: 10.1002/iub.1055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2012] [Accepted: 04/30/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Leukemia, a group of hematological malignancies characterized by abnormal proliferation, decreased apoptosis, and blocked differentiation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, is a disease involving dynamic change in the genome. Chromosomal translocation and point mutation are the major mechanisms in leukemia, which lead to production of oncogenes with dominant gain of function and tumor suppressor genes with recessive loss of function. Targeted therapy refers to treatment strategies perturbing the molecules critical for leukemia pathogenesis. The t(15;17) which generates PML-RARα, t(8;21) that produces AML1-ETO, and t(9;22) which generates BCR-ABL are the three most frequently seen chromosomal translocations in myeloid leukemia. The past two to three decades have witnessed tremendous success in development of targeted therapies for acute and chronic myeloid leukemia caused by the three fusion proteins. Here, we review the therapeutic efficacies and the mechanisms of action of targeted therapies for myeloid leukemia and show how this strategy significantly improve the clinical outcome of patients and even turn acute promyelocytic leukemia from highly fatal to highly curable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai-Juan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics and Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Rui Jin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Dai ZK, Qin JK, Huang JE, Luo Y, Xu Q, Zhao HL. Tanshinone IIA activates calcium-dependent apoptosis signaling pathway in human hepatoma cells. J Nat Med 2011; 66:192-201. [DOI: 10.1007/s11418-011-0576-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2011] [Accepted: 07/22/2011] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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14
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Chen SJ, Zhou GB, Zhang XW, Mao JH, de Thé H, Chen Z. From an old remedy to a magic bullet: molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of arsenic in fighting leukemia. Blood 2011; 117:6425-37. [PMID: 21422471 PMCID: PMC3123014 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2010-11-283598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2010] [Accepted: 03/11/2011] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Arsenic had been used in treating malignancies from the 18th to mid-20th century. In the past 3 decades, arsenic was revived and shown to be able to induce complete remission and to achieve, when combined with all-trans retinoic acid and chemotherapy, a 5-year overall survival of 90% in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia driven by the t(15;17) translocation-generated promyelocytic leukemia-retinoic acid receptor α (PML-RARα) fusion. Molecularly, arsenic binds thiol residues and induces the formation of reactive oxygen species, thus affecting numerous signaling pathways. Interestingly, arsenic directly binds the C3HC4 zinc finger motif in the RBCC domain of PML and PML-RARα, induces their homodimerization and multimerization, and enhances their interaction with the SUMO E2 conjugase Ubc9, facilitating subsequent sumoylation/ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Arsenic-caused intermolecular disulfide formation in PML also contributes to PML-multimerization. All-trans retinoic acid, which targets PML-RARα for degradation through its RARα moiety, synergizes with arsenic in eliminating leukemia-initiating cells. Arsenic perturbs a number of proteins involved in other hematologic malignancies, including chronic myeloid leukemia and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, whereby it may bring new therapeutic benefits. The successful revival of arsenic in acute promyelocytic leukemia, together with modern mechanistic studies, has thus allowed a new paradigm to emerge in translational medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai-Juan Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology and State Key Laboratory for Medical Genomics, Rui Jin Hospital/Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Rui Jin Road II, Shanghai, China
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Meng Q, Peng Z, Chen L, Si J, Dong Z, Xia Y. Nuclear Factor-κB modulates cellular glutathione and prevents oxidative stress in cancer cells. Cancer Lett 2010; 299:45-53. [PMID: 20810208 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2010.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2010] [Revised: 08/06/2010] [Accepted: 08/09/2010] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The NF-κB is best known for its role in inflammation. Here we show that constitutive NF-κB activity in cancer cells promotes the biosynthesis of redox scavenger glutathione (GSH), which in turn confers resistance to oxidative stress. Inhibition of NF-κB significantly decreases GSH in several lines of human leukemia and prostate cancer cells possessing high or moderate NF-κB activities. Concomitantly, NF-κB inhibition by pharmacological and molecular means sensitizes "NF-κB positive" cancer cells to chemically-induced oxidative stress and death. We propose that inhibition of NF-κB can reduce intracellular GSH in "NF-κB-positive" cancers thereby improving the efficacy of oxidative stress-based anti-cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghang Meng
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, United States
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Liu WH, Chang LS. Reactive oxygen species and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase induce apoptotic death of U937 cells in response to Naja nigricollis toxin-gamma. J Cell Mol Med 2010; 13:1695-1705. [PMID: 20187293 DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2008.00473.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study is to elucidate the signalling components related to Naja nigricollis toxin--induced apoptosis in human leukaemia U937 cells. It was found that toxin--induced apoptotic cell death was attributed mainly to activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (deltapsim). Subsequent modulation of Bcl-2 family member and cytochrome c release accompanied with activation of caspase-9 and -3 were involved in the death of U937 cells. SB202190 (p38 MAPK inhibitor) and N-acetylcysteine (antioxidant) significantly attenuated toxin--induced cell death and loss of deltapsim, and completely abolished the production of ROS. In contrast to N-acetylcysteine, degradation of Bcl-2/Bcl-XL and mitochondrial localization of Bax were notably decreased by SB202190. Inhibitors of electron transport (rotenone and antimycin A) or inhibitor of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (cyclosporine A) reduced the effect of toxin- on ROS generation, loss of deltapsim and cytochrome c release. Noticeably, pre-treatment with N-acetylcysteine or rotenone eliminated markedly ROS accompanied with reduction in p38 MAPK activation. Taken together, these results suggest that the cytotoxicity of toxin- is initiated by p38-MAPK-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction followed by ROS production and activation of caspases, and that ROS further augments p38 MAPK activation and mitochondrial alteration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Hsin Liu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University - Kaohsiung Medical University Joint Research Center, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Long-Sen Chang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University - Kaohsiung Medical University Joint Research Center, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Chen KC, Liu WH, Chang LS. Taiwan cobra phospholipase A2-elicited JNK activation is responsible for autocrine fas-mediated cell death and modulating Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression in human leukemia K562 cells. J Cell Biochem 2010; 109:245-54. [PMID: 19937732 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.22404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) from Naja naja atra venom induced apoptotic death of human leukemia K562 cells. Degradation of procaspases, production of tBid, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, Bcl-2 degradation, mitochondrial translocation of Bax, and cytochrome c release were observed in PLA(2)-treated cells. Moreover, PLA(2) treatment increased Fas and FasL protein expression. Upon exposure to PLA(2), activation of p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) and JNK (c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase) was found in K562 cells. SB202190 (p38 MAPK inhibitor) pretreatment enhanced cytotoxic effect of PLA(2) and led to prolonged JNK activation, but failed to affect PLA(2)-induced upregulation of Fas and FasL protein expression. Sustained JNK activation aggravated caspase8/mitochondria-dependent death pathway, downregulated Bcl-2 expression and increased mitochondrial translocation of Bax. SP600125 (JNK inhibitor) abolished the cytotoxic effect of PLA(2) and PLA(2)-induced autocrine Fas death pathway. Transfection ASK1 siRNA and overexpression of dominant negative p38alpha MAPK proved that ASK1 pathway was responsible for PLA(2)-induced p38 MAPK and JNK activation and p38alpha MAPK activation suppressed dynamically persistent JNK activation. Downregulation of FADD abolished PLA(2)-induced procaspase-8 degradation and rescued viability of PLA(2)-treated cells. Taken together, our results indicate that JNK-mediated autocrine Fas/FasL apoptotic mechanism and modulation of Bcl-2 family proteins are involved in PLA(2)-induced death of K562 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ku-Chung Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University-Kaohsiung Medical University Joint Research Center, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
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Liu WH, Chang LS. Arachidonic acid induces Fas and FasL upregulation in human leukemia U937 cells via Ca2+/ROS-mediated suppression of ERK/c-Fos pathway and activation of p38 MAPK/ATF-2 pathway. Toxicol Lett 2009; 191:140-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2009.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2009] [Revised: 08/19/2009] [Accepted: 08/22/2009] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Chen KC, Chiou YL, Chang LS. JNK1/c-Jun and p38α MAPK/ATF-2 pathways are responsible for upregulation of Fas/FasL in human chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells upon exposure to Taiwan cobra phospholipase A2. J Cell Biochem 2009; 108:612-20. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.22293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Liu WH, Cheng YC, Chang LS. ROS-mediated p38alpha MAPK activation and ERK inactivation responsible for upregulation of Fas and FasL and autocrine Fas-mediated cell death in Taiwan cobra phospholipase A(2)-treated U937 cells. J Cell Physiol 2009; 219:642-51. [PMID: 19180563 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.21713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study is to explore the signaling pathway associated with Naja naja atra phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2))-induced apoptotic death of human leukemia U937 cells. Degradation of procaspases, production of tBid, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and cytochrome c release were observed in PLA(2)-treated cells. PLA(2) treatment increased Fas and FasL protein expression, and upregulated transcription of Fas and FasL mRNA. Upon exposure to PLA(2), ROS generation, p38 MAPK activation, and ERK inactivation were found in U937 cells. Abolition of PLA(2)-induced ROS generation abrogated p38 MAPK activation and upregulation of Fas and FasL expression, but restored ERK activation and viability of PLA(2)-treated cells. Block of p38 MAPK by SB202190 abolished PLA(2)-induced Fas/FasL upregulation and ERK inactivation, but not ROS generation. Activated ERK suppressed p38 MAPK activation and Fas/FasL protein expression. Selective inactivation or overexpression of p38alpha MAPK proved that upregulation of Fas/FasL and ERK inactivation were related to p38alpha MAPK activation. Deprivation of catalytic activity with PLA(2) blocked completely PLA(2)-induced Fas/FasL upregulation. Downregulation of FADD abolished PLA(2)-induced procaspase-8 degradation and rescued viability of PLA(2)-treated cells. Taken together, our results indicate that Fas/FasL upregulation in PLA(2)-treated U937 cells is elicited by ROS-mediated p38alpha MAPK activation and ERK inactivation, and suggest that autocrine Fas/FasL apoptotic mechanism is involved in PLA(2)-induced cell death. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 642-651, 2009. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Hsin Liu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University-Kaohsiung Medical University Joint Research Center, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Noulsri E, Richardson DR, Lerdwana S, Fucharoen S, Yamagishi T, Kalinowski DS, Pattanapanyasat K. Antitumor activity and mechanism of action of the iron chelator, Dp44mT, against leukemic cells. Am J Hematol 2009; 84:170-6. [PMID: 19140186 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.21350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Iron chelators have been reported to induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in cancer cells. Recent studies suggest broad and selective antitumor activity of the new iron chelator, di-2-pyridylketone-4,4-dimethyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (Dp44mT; Whitnall et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2006;103:14901-14906). However, little is known concerning its effects on hematological malignancies. Using acute leukemia cells, the effect of Dp44mT on apoptosis, cell cycle, caspase-3 activation, and mitochondrial trans-membrane potential has been examined by flow cytometry. Dp44mT acted to induce a G(1)/S arrest in NB4 promyelocytic leukemia cells at low concentrations (0.5-2.5 microM), being far more effective than the clinically used chelator, desferrioxamine (DFO). Moreover, Dp44mT induced apoptosis of NB4 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner with markedly less effect on nonproliferating cells. The apoptosis-inducing activity of Dp44mT was significantly more effective than DFO. Furthermore, this study also showed that Dp44mT had broad activity, inducing apoptosis in several types of acute leukemia and also multiple myeloma cell lines. Additional studies examining the cytotoxic mechanisms of Dp44mT showed that a reduction in the mitochondrial trans-membrane potential and caspase-3 activation could be involved in the mechanism of apoptosis. Our results suggest that Dp44mT possesses potential as an effective cytotoxic agent for the chemotherapeutic treatment of acute leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Egarit Noulsri
- Office for Research and Development, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Abstract
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a distinct subtype of acute myeloid leukemia. Morphologically, it is identified as the M3 subtype of acute myeloid leukemia by the French-American-British classification and cytogenetically is characterized by a balanced reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 15 and 17, which results in the fusion between promyelocytic leukemia (PML) gene and retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARalpha). It seems that the disease is the most malignant form of acute leukemia with a severe bleeding tendency and a fatal course of only weeks. Chemotherapy (CT; daunorubicin, idarubicin and cytosine arabinoside) was the front-line treatment of APL with a complete remission (CR) rate of 75% to 80% in newly diagnosed patients. Despite all these progresses, the median duration of remission ranged from 11 to 25 months and only 35% to 45% of the patients could be cured by CT. Since the introduction of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in the treatment and optimization of the ATRA-based regimens, the CR rate was raised up to 90% to 95% and 5-year disease free survival (DFS) to 74%. The use of arsenic trioxide (ATO) since early 1990s further improved the clinical outcome of refractory or relapsed as well as newly diagnosed APL. In this article, we review the history of introduction of ATRA and ATO into clinical use and the mechanistic studies in understanding this model of cancer targeted therapy.
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Abstract
Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Its therapeutic use in leukaemia was described a century ago. Recent rekindling in the interest of As2O3 is due to its high efficacy in acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL). As2O3 has also been tested clinically in other blood and solid cancers. Most studies have used intravenous As2O3, although an oral As2O3 is equally efficacious. Side effects of As2O3 are usually minor, including skin reactions, gastrointestinal upset, and hepatitis. These respond to symptomatic treatment or temporary drug cessation, and do not compromise subsequent treatment with As2O3. During induction therapy in APL, a leucocytosis may occasionally occur, which can be associated with fluid accumulation and pulmonary infiltration. The condition is similar to the APL differentiation syndrome during treatment with all-trans retinoic acid, and responds to cytoreductive treatment and corticosteroids. Intravenous As2O3 treatment leads to QT prolongation. In the presence of underlying cardiopulmonary diseases or electrolyte disturbances, particularly hypokalaemia and hypomagnesaemia, serious arrhythmias may develop, with torsades du pointes reported in 1% of cases. This may be related to a dose-dependent arsenic-mediated inhibition of potassium ion channels that compromises cardiac repolarization. Because of slow intestinal absorption, oral-As2O3 gives a lower plasma arsenic concentration, which is associated with lesser QT prolongation and hence a more favorable cardiac safety profile. As2O3 does not appear to enter the central nervous system. However, if the blood brain barrier is breached, elemental arsenic may enter the cerebrospinal fluid. As2O3 is predominantly excreted in the kidneys, and dose adjustment is required when renal function is impaired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wing-Yan Au
- Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
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Zhou GB, Zhang J, Wang ZY, Chen SJ, Chen Z. Treatment of acute promyelocytic leukaemia with all-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide: a paradigm of synergistic molecular targeting therapy. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2007; 362:959-71. [PMID: 17317642 PMCID: PMC2435563 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2007.2026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
To turn a disease from highly fatal to highly curable is extremely difficult, especially when the disease is a type of cancer. However, we can gain some insight into how this can be done by looking back over the 50-year history of taming acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL). APL is the M3 type of acute myeloid leukaemia characterized by an accumulation of abnormal promyelocytes in bone marrow, a severe bleeding tendency and the presence of the chromosomal translocation t(15;17) or variants. APL was considered the most fatal type of acute leukaemia five decades ago and the treatment of APL was a nightmare for physicians. Great efforts have been made by scientists worldwide to conquer this disease. The first use of chemotherapy (CT) was unsuccessful due to lack of supportive care and cytotoxic-agent-related exacerbated coagulopathy. The first breakthrough came from the use of anthracyclines which improved the complete remission (CR) rate, though the 5-year overall survival could only be attained in a small proportion of patients. A rational and intriguing hypothesis, to induce differentiation of APL cells rather than killing them, was raised in the 1970s. Laudably, the use of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in treating APL resulted in terminal differentiation of APL cells and a 90-95% CR rate of patients, turning differentiation therapy in cancer treatment from hypothesis to practice. The combination of ATRA with CT further improved the 5-year overall survival. When arsenic trioxide (ATO) was used to treat relapsed APL not only the patients but also the ancient drug were revived. ATO exerts dose-dependent dual effects on APL cells: at low concentration, ATO induces partial differentiation, while at relatively high concentration, it triggers apoptosis. Of note, both ATRA and ATO trigger catabolism of the PML-RARalpha fusion protein which is the key player in APL leukaemogenesis generated from t(15;17), targeting the RARalpha (retinoic acid receptor alpha) or promyelocytic leukaemia (PML) moieties, respectively. Hence, in treating APL both ATRA and ATO represent paradigms for molecularly targeted therapy. At molecular level, ATRA and ATO synergistically modulate multiple downstream pathways/cascades. Strikingly, a clearance of PML-RARalpha transcript in an earlier and more thorough manner, and a higher quality remission and survival in newly diagnosed APL are achieved when ATRA is combined with ATO, as compared to either monotherapy, making APL a curable disease. Thus, the story of APL can serve as a model for the development of curative approaches for disease; it suggests that molecularly synergistic targeted therapies are powerful tools in cancer, and dissection of disease pathogenesis or anatomy of the cancer genome is critical in developing molecular target-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Biao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM)197, Ruijin Road II, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
- Guangzhou Institute of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhou Sciences Park, Guangzhou 510663, People's Republic of China
| | - Ji Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM)197, Ruijin Road II, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Health Science, SJTUSM and Shanghai Institutes of Biological Sciences, CASSouth Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen-Yi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM)197, Ruijin Road II, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Sai-Juan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM)197, Ruijin Road II, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM)197, Ruijin Road II, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
- Author for correspondence ()
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Wang MW, Hao X, Chen K. Biological screening of natural products and drug innovation in China. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2007; 362:1093-105. [PMID: 17317643 PMCID: PMC2435573 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2007.2036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural products have been applied to human healthcare for thousands of years. Drug discovery in ancient times was largely by chance and based on clinical practices. As understanding of therapeutic benefits deepens and demands for natural products increase, previously serendipitous discoveries evolve into active searches for new medicines. Many drugs presently prescribed by physicians are either directly isolated from plants or are artificially modified versions of natural products. Scientists are looking for lead compounds with specific structures and pharmacological effects often from natural sources. Experiences and successes of Chinese scientists in this specialized area have resulted in a number of widely used drugs. The tremendous progress made in life sciences has not only revealed many pathological processes of diseases, but also led to the establishment of various molecular and cellular bioassays in conjunction with high-throughput technologies. This is advantageous and permits certain natural compounds that are difficult to isolate and purify, and compounds that are difficult to synthesize, to be assayed. The transition from traditional to empirical and to molecular screening will certainly increase the probability of discovering new leads and drug candidates from natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Wei Wang
- The National Centre for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, People's Republic of China.
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Gallagher RCJ, Waterfall M, Samuel K, Turner ML. Blood donor derived dendritic cells and cytotoxic T cells for specific fusion-gene adoptive immunotherapy. Vox Sang 2007; 92:351-60. [PMID: 17456159 DOI: 10.1111/j.1423-0410.2006.00873.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Therapeutic immunological reagents tailored to individual patients have been shown to be a viable treatment strategy for some forms of leukaemia. This work investigates the possibility of using blood donations as a source of leukaemia-specific immune therapeutics. MATERIALS AND METHODS The acute promyelocytic cell line NB4 carrying the PML-RAR alpha fusion was used as a target for cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) stimulated to recognize the fusion. Stimulation of CTL was by production of dendritic cells pulsed with plasmid vectors containing polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-generated sequences of PML-RAR alpha derived from NB4 cells. PCR primer design included a Kozak consensus sequence to allow correct translation of the nucleic acid into protein. Identification of specific cytotoxicity was by both Granzyme B ELISPOT and by (51)Cr-release assays. RESULTS Specific CTL activity targeting NB4 cells can be generated from donor-derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells. However, individual donors appear to respond differently to the length of stimulatory sequence encoded in the vector. Use of an internal methionine in the PML gene, which also satisfies the Kozak rules, allows translation in vitro and, thus, might provide a suitable start site for stimulation using acute promyelocytic leukaemia-specific sequence. CONCLUSION The work presented here suggests that blood donor derived dendritic cells can be used to stimulate leukaemia-specific CTL from the same donation ex vivo. This would enable the generation of patient-specific therapeutics from major histocompatibility (MHC)-matched allogeneic donors. However, different MHC-matched donors might vary in their response depending on the length of the antigenic sequence.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Blood Donors
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Coculture Techniques
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- Dendritic Cells/immunology
- Gene Fusion
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/immunology
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/therapy
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
- Transfection
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Affiliation(s)
- R C J Gallagher
- SNBTS Cell Therapy Group, Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Edinburgh, UK.
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Hu J, Zhou GB, Wang ZY, Chen SJ, Chen Z. Mutant Transcription Factors and Tyrosine Kinases as Therapeutic Targets for Leukemias: From Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia to Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and Beyond. Adv Cancer Res 2007; 98:191-220. [PMID: 17433911 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-230x(06)98006-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in transcription factors (TFs) and protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs), which result in inhibition of differentiation/apoptosis or enhanced proliferative/survival advantage of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, are two classes of the most frequently detected genetic abnormalities in leukemias. The critical roles for mutant TFs and/or PTKs to play in leukemogenesis, and the absence of mutant TFs/PTKs in normal hematopoietic cells, suggest that the two types of aberrant molecules may serve as ideal therapeutic targets. The great success of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia through modulation of the causative PML-RARalpha oncoprotein represents the first two paradigms of mutant TFs-targeting therapeutic strategies for leukemia. More recently, tyrosine kinase inhibitor STI-571/Imatinib mesylate/Gleevec in the treatment of Breakpoint Cluster Region-Abelson (BCR-ABL) positive leukemia elicits paradigm of mutant PTKs as ideal antileukemia targets. Thus to further improve clinical outcome of leukemia patients, elucidation of pathogenesis of leukemia, screening for oncoprotein-targeting small molecules, as well as rationally designed combination of drugs with potential synergy are of importance.
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MESH Headings
- Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/genetics
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/metabolism
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/metabolism
- Mutation/genetics
- Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors
- Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics
- Transcription Factors/antagonists & inhibitors
- Transcription Factors/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Rui Jin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) and Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, SJTU, Shanghai 200025, China
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Au WY, Kumana CR, Lam CW, Cheng VCC, Shek TW, Chan EYT, Liu R, Kwong YL. Solid tumors subsequent to arsenic trioxide treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia. Leuk Res 2007; 31:105-8. [PMID: 16725199 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2006.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2006] [Revised: 03/22/2006] [Accepted: 03/22/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) is highly efficacious for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Environmental arsenic exposure predisposes to malignancies, but the risk for therapeutic arsenic is undefined. Three APL patients (de novo, 2; therapy-related, 1) in a cohort of 59 cases given oral-As(2)O(3) for induction and maintenance treatment developed secondary cancers (nasopharyngeal carcinoma, 2; colonic adenocarcinoma, 1) at 16, 36 and 55 months post-As(2)O(3) therapy. Retrospective analysis of biomarkers (Epstein Barr virus serology and quantification, carcinoembryonic antigen) showed the potential presence of cancers before or shortly after As(2)O(3) therapy, suggesting that As(2)O(3) had not initiated these malignancies. Compared against matched background population, there was an increased risk of second cancer (p=0.012, standard incidence ratio=6.5; 95% confidence interval=1.4-19.0).
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Affiliation(s)
- Wing-Yan Au
- Department of Medicine, Professorial Block, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
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29
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Wang J, Wang X, Jiang S, Yuan S, Lin P, Zhang J, Lu Y, Wang Q, Xiong Z, Wu Y, Ren J, Yang H. Growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis and differentiation of tanshinone IIA in human glioma cells. J Neurooncol 2006; 82:11-21. [PMID: 16955220 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-006-9242-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2006] [Accepted: 08/09/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Tanshinone IIA is a derivative of phenanthrene-quinone isolated from Danshen, a widely used Chinese herbal medicine. It has antioxidant properties, cytotoxic activities against multiple human cancer cells, inducing apoptosis and differentiation of some human cancer cells. The purpose of this study is to confirm its anticancer activity on human glioma cells, and to elucidate mechanism of its activity. Human glioma cells were tested in vitro for cytotoxicity, colony formation inhibition, BrdU incorporation after treatment with tanshinone IIA. Its effect of apoptosis induction was detected through EB/AO staining, cell cycle analysis and the expressions of ADPRTL1 and CYP1A1 genes, the differentiation induction effect was investigated through morphology, mRNA and protein expressions of GFAP and nestin genes by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. Tanshinone IIA demonstrated a dose- and time-dependent inhibitory effect on cell growth, IC(50) was 100 ng/ml, and it significantly inhibited colony formation and BrdU incorporation of human glioma cells. After treatment with 25-100 ng/ml of tanshinone IIA, the apoptotic cells increased significantly (P < 0.01), the cells in G(0)/G(1) phase increased (P < 0.01), and decreased in S phase, ADPRTL1 and CYP1A1 mRNA expression increased 1-2 folds. The cells treated with 100 ng/ml tanshinone IIA demonstrated astrocytes or neuron-like morphology, GFAP mRNA and protein expressions increased, nestin mRNA and protein expressions decreased significantly. The findings in this study suggested that tanshinone IIA exhibited strong effects on growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis and differentiation in human glioma cells. It might serve as a novel promising differentiation-inducing and/or therapeutic agent for human gliomas, and need to be investigated further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Division of Experimental Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China
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Yazdanparast R, Moosavi MA, Mahdavi M, Lotfi A. Guanosine 5'-triphosphate induces differentiation-dependent apoptosis in human leukemia U937 and KG1 cells. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2006; 27:1175-84. [PMID: 16923338 DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-7254.2006.00364.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM The differentiation capability of guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) was studied using U937 and KG1 cells. METHODS Cell cycle was analyzed by PI staining using flow cytometry. Apoptosis was measured by Annexin-V-FITC/PI double staining using flow cytometry. Differentiation was observed by morphological criteria, Wright-Giemsa staining and expression of cell surface markers CD11b and CD14. RESULTS Variable GTP concentrations (25-200 micromol/L) at short treatment times (up to 24 h) showed significant anti-proliferative activities among both cell types. However, longer treatment times (up to 72 h) were required to trigger apoptosis. Cell-cycle analyses of the GTP-treated cells indicated an increase in S-phase population by 48 h followed by the appearance of a sub-G(1) peak after 72 h of treatment. The effects of GTP on U937 and KG1 cells were accompanied with differentiation toward monocyte/macrophage lineage. This was evidenced by a sharp increase in the extent of CD11b and CD14 expression after 24 h of exposure to GTP. The viability of both cell types did not significantly change during the first 24 h. However, at longer treatment times (72-96 h), dramatic decreases in both the extent of CD14 expression and the cell viabilities were observed. Simultaneous measurement of apoptosis and CD14 expression in GTP-treated U937 cells indicated that cells with lower CD14 content underwent more apoptosis. CONCLUSION These finding may pave the way for further pharmaceutical evaluation of GTP as a suitable differentiating agent for acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Razieh Yazdanparast
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, P O Box 13145-1384 University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
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31
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Au WY, Fung AT, Ma ES, Chan CH, Wong KF, Chim CS, Liang RH, Kwong YL. Serial studies of methylation of CDKN2B and CDKN2A in relapsed acute promyelocytic leukaemia treated with arsenic trioxide. Br J Haematol 2006; 131:632-5. [PMID: 16351640 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2005.05818.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Ninety consecutive patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia were investigated for promoter methylation of CDKN2B (alias p15) and CDKN2A (alias p16) in disease relapse and progression. CDKN2B methylation was significantly more frequent at first relapse (30/36, 83%) than at presentation (48/77, 62%) (P=0.025), while CDKN2A methylation appeared unaffected. Both acquisition and loss of CDKN2B methylation happened at relapse, with acquisition more frequent. No significant increase in CDKN2B and CDKN2A methylation occurred at more advanced relapses. At first or subsequent relapses, owing to highly effective salvage by arsenic trioxide, CDKN2B methylation did not impact on event-free survival or overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wing-Yan Au
- Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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32
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Abstract
What were the critical steps in the development of ATRA and arsenic as treatments for APL? Researchers in Shanghai tell the story and look to the future
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Zhu Chen
- *To whom correspondence should be addressed: E-mail:
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33
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Wang X, Wei Y, Yuan S, Liu G, Lu Y, Zhang J, Wang W. Potential anticancer activity of tanshinone IIA against human breast cancer. Int J Cancer 2005; 116:799-807. [PMID: 15849732 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.20880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Tanshinone IIA is a derivative of phenanthrene-quinone isolated from Danshen, a widely used Chinese herbal medicine. It has antioxidant properties and cytotoxic activity against multiple human cancer cell lines, inducing apoptosis and differentiation of some human cancer cell lines. Our purpose was to confirm its anticancer activity on human breast cancer in vitro and in vivo and to elucidate the mechanism of its activity. Human breast cancer cells were tested in vitro for cytotoxicity, colony formation inhibition, BrdU incorporation and gene expression profiling after treatment with tanshinone IIA. Seven nude mice bearing human breast infiltrating duct carcinoma orthotopically were tested for anticancer activity and expression of caspase-3 in vivo by s.c. injection of tanshinone IIA at a dose of 30 mg/kg 3 times/week for 10 weeks. Tanshinone IIA demonstrated a dose- and time-dependent inhibitory effect on cell growth (IC50 = 0.25 microg/ml), and it significantly inhibited colony formation and BrdU incorporation of human breast cancer cells. Oligonucleotide microarray analysis identified 41 upregulated (1.22%) and 24 downregulated (0.71%) genes after tanshinone IIA treatment. Upregulated genes were involved predominantly in cycle regulation, cell proliferation, apoptosis, signal transduction and transcriptional regulation; and downregulated genes were associated mainly with apoptosis and extracellular matrix/adhesion molecules. A 44.91% tumor mass volume reduction and significant increase of casepase-3 protein expression were observed in vivo. Our findings suggest that tanshinone IIA might have potential anticancer activity on both ER-positive and -negative breast cancers, which could be attributed in part to its inhibition of proliferation and apoptosis induction of cancer cells through upregulation and downregulation of multiple genes involved in cell cycle regulation, cell proliferation, apoptosis, signal transduction, transcriptional regulation, angiogenesis, invasive potential and metastatic potential of cancer cells. ADPRTL1 might be the main target at which tanshinone IIA acted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.
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34
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Abstract
Nuclear architecture - the spatial arrangement of chromosomes and other nuclear components - provides a framework for organizing and regulating the diverse functional processes within the nucleus. There are characteristic differences in the nuclear architectures of cancer cells, compared with normal cells, and some anticancer treatments restore normal nuclear structure and function. Advances in understanding nuclear structure have revealed insights into the process of malignant transformation and provide a basis for the development of new diagnostic tools and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Zink
- University of Munich (LMU), Department of Biology II, Goethestr. 31, 80336 Munich, Germany.
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35
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Au WY, Fung A, Chim CS, Lie AK, Liang R, Ma ESK, Chan CH, Wong KF, Kwong YL. FLT-3
aberrations in acute promyelocytic leukaemia: clinicopathological associations and prognostic impact. Br J Haematol 2004; 125:463-9. [PMID: 15142116 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2004.04935.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
FLT-3 aberrations that occur as an internal tandem duplication (ITD) or a mutation at the activation-loop position 835, D835, are common in acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL). We investigated the clinicopathological associations and prognostic impact of FLT-3 aberrations in a cohort of APL patients. FLT-3 exons 11 and 12 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the ITD was recognized as an increase in the size of the PCR product. FLT-3 exon 17 was amplified, and D835 mutation was identified by loss of an EcoRV site, followed by DNA sequencing. Of 82 patients studied, FLT-3 aberrations were detected in 35 cases (43%) at diagnosis (ITD: 16; D835 mutation: 18; ITD + D835 mutation: 1). FLT-3 ITD, but not D835 mutations, was significantly associated with higher presentation white blood cell count (WBC) and microgranular morphology. Early/induction deaths were related to male sex and high presentation WBC. There was a trend for FLT-3 ITD to be associated with non-remission (P = 0.06). For disease-free survival, high WBC was the only significant adverse factor. Male sex, high WBC and FLT-3 ITD were significant adverse factors for overall survival. These findings have important implications on the possible use of FLT-3 inhibitors in the treatment of APL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wing Y Au
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
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