Expression of PIM1 protein in chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma

Quercetin Therapy for Selected Patients with PIM1 Kinase-Positive Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma: A Pilot Study

We reported that PIM1 kinase is expressed in the lymphocytes of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). Quercetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, is a dietary supplement and inhibits many kinases, including PIM1, in vitro. Under an Institutional Review Board-approved protocol, we performed an open-label, single-arm pilot study to evaluate the antitumor activity of quercetin in patients with CLL/SLL. Q-ForceTM chews were administered orally, 500 mg twice daily, for 3 months. Eligible patients had failed prior therapies, had had no other standard treatment, or refused other therapies. Response was assessed based on objective change in disease parameters. Patients were included if their lymphocyte counts were rising and ≥10,000/µL but not > 100,000/µL. Three patients received quercetin treatment. There was no toxicity. Two responded with stabilization of rising lymphocyte counts (p < 0.001 for each), which remained stable during their follow-up (5 and 11 months after cessation of treatment, respectively). The CLL cells in the nonresponder harbored a TP53 mutation. Although our data from this pilot translational study are based on a small sample, further studies of quercetin as a potential therapeutic agent in selected patients with CLL/SLL appear warranted.

PIM1 polymorphism and PIM1 expression as predisposing factors of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the Asian population

Our study aimed to identify the association between a PIM1 polymorphism and PIM1 expression levels with clinicopathological features of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). A total of 168 patients with ESCC were recruited as the case group, and 180 healthy individuals were included as the control group. Polymerase chain reaction-direct sequencing was employed to analyze all genotypes containing the PIM1 -1 882 A>T mutation. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect PIM1 expression. The distributions of genotype AA and allele A of PIM1 -1 882 A>T were higher in the case group than in the control group (both P<0.05). AT + TT carriers had a lower risk of ESCC than AA carriers (P<0.05). PIM1 polymorphism was related to the invasion depth, degree of differentiation, and lymphatic metastasis of ESCC (P<0.05). PIM1 expression was associated with lymphatic metastasis of ESCC and PIM1 polymorphism (both P<0.05). PIM1 -1 882 A>T and the overexpression of PIM1 were associated with the clinicopathological features of ESCC, and PIM1 -1 882 A>T may help to reduce the risk of ESCC in the Asian population.