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Yen JH, Keak PY, Wu CL, Chen HJ, Gao WY, Liou JW, Chen YR, Lin LI, Chen PY. Shikonin, a natural naphthoquinone phytochemical, exerts anti-leukemia effects in human CBF-AML cell lines and zebrafish xenograft models. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 179:117395. [PMID: 39241566 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (CBF-AML) stands out as the most common type of adult AML, characterized by specific chromosomal rearrangements involving CBF genes, particularly t(8;21). Shikonin (SHK), a naphthoquinone phytochemical widely employed as a food colorant and traditional Chinese herbal medicine, exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. In this study, we aim to investigate the antileukemic effects of SHK and its underlying mechanisms in human CBF-AML cells and zebrafish xenograft models. Our study revealed that SHK reduced the viability of CBF-AML cells. SHK induced cell cycle arrest, promoted cell apoptosis, and induced differentiation in Kasumi-1 cells. Additionally, SHK downregulated the gene expression of AML1-ETO and c-KIT in Kasumi-1 cells. In animal studies, SHK showed no toxic effects in zebrafish and markedly inhibited the growth of leukemia cells in zebrafish xenografts. Transcriptomic analysis showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) altered by SHK are linked to key biological processes like DNA repair, replication, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and division. Furthermore, KEGG pathways associated with cell growth, such as the cell cycle and p53 signaling pathway, were significantly enriched by DEGs. Analysis of AML-associated genes in response to SHK treatment using DisGeNET and the STRING database indicated that SHK downregulates the expression of cell division regulators regarding AML progression. Finally, we found that SHK combined with cytarabine synergistically reduced the viability of Kasumi-1 cells. In conclusion, our findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms of SHK in suppressing leukemia cell growth, suggesting its potential as a chemotherapeutic agent for human CBF-AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jui-Hung Yen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan; Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan
| | - Pei Ying Keak
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ling Wu
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Genetic Counseling Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 970374, Taiwan
| | - Hsuan-Jan Chen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Yun Gao
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan
| | - Je-Wen Liou
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ruei Chen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan
| | - Liang-In Lin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei City 10048, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Yi Chen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan; Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Genetic Counseling Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 970374, Taiwan.
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Yang J, Zhu X, Zhang H, Fu Y, Li Z, Xing Z, Yu Y, Cao P, Le J, Jiang J, Li J, Wang H, Zhai X. Prognostic Factors of Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients with t(8;21) (q22;q22): A Single-Center Retrospective Study. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:605. [PMID: 38790600 PMCID: PMC11120327 DOI: 10.3390/children11050605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
This retrospective study aimed to analyze the treatment effect and prognostic factors of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with t(8;21). A total of 268 newly diagnosed pediatric AML (pAML) enrolled from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed, and 50 (18.7%) patients harbored t(8;21) translocation. CR rate, OS, EFS, and RFS were assessed by multivariate Logistic and Cox regression models in these patients. Of the 50 patients, 2 patients abandoned treatment during the first induction course. Of the remaining 48 patients who received double-induction therapy and were included in the final analyses, CR1 and CR2 were 75.0% (36/48) and 95.8% (46/48), respectively. The overall three-year OS, EFS, and RFS were 68.4% (95% CI, 55.0-85.1), 64.2% (95% CI, 50.7-81.4), and 65.5% (95% CI, 51.9-82.8), respectively. The presence of loss of sex chromosome (LOS) at diagnosis (n = 21) was associated with a better 3-year OS [87.5% (95% CI, 72.7-100) vs. 52.7% (95% CI, 35.1-79.3), p = 0.0089], 3-year EFS [81.6% (95% CI, 64.7-100) vs. 49.7% (95% CI, 32.4-76.4), p = 0.023], and 3-year RFS [81.6% (95% CI, 64.7-100) vs. 51.7% (95% CI, 33.9-78.9), p = 0.036] than those without LOS (n = 27), and it was also an independent good prognostic factor of OS (HR, 0.08 [95% CI, 0.01-0.48], p = 0.005), EFS (HR, 0.22 [95% CI, 0.05-0.85], p = 0.029), and RFS (HR, 0.21 [95% CI, 0.05-0.90], p = 0.035). However, extramedullary leukemia (EML) featured the independent risk factors of inferior OS (HR, 10.99 [95% CI, 2.08-58.12], p = 0.005), EFS (HR, 4.75 [95% CI, 1.10-20.61], p = 0.037), and RFS (HR, 6.55 [95% CI, 1.40-30.63], p = 0.017) in pediatric individuals with t(8;21) AML. Further analysis of combining LOS with EML indicated that the EML+LOS- subgroup had significantly inferior OS (92.9%, [95% CI, 80.3-100]), EFS (86.2%, [95% CI, 70.0-100]), and RFS (86.2%, [95% CI, 80.3-100]) compared to the other three subgroups (all p < 0.001). LOS and EML are independent prognostic factors of OS, EFS, and RFS with t(8;21) pAML patients. LOS combined with EML may help improve risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Xiaowen Zhai
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, National Children’s Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
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Chatzikalil E, Roka K, Diamantopoulos PT, Rigatou E, Avgerinou G, Kattamis A, Solomou EE. Venetoclax Combination Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Adolescents and Young Adult Patients. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2046. [PMID: 38610812 PMCID: PMC11012941 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13072046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past two decades, the prognosis in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has significantly improved. The standard intensive cytotoxic treatment approach for AYAs with AML, consisting of induction chemotherapy with anthracycline/cytarabine combination followed by consolidation chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation, has lately been shifting toward novel targeted therapies, mostly in the fields of clinical trials. One of the most recent advances in treating AML is the combination of the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) inhibitor venetoclax with hypomethylating agents, which has been studied in elderly populations and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for patients over 75 years of age or patients excluded from intensive chemotherapy induction schemas due to comorbidities. Regarding the AYA population, venetoclax combination therapy could be a therapeutic option for patients with refractory/relapsed (R/R) AML, although data from real-world studies are currently limited. Venetoclax is frequently used by AYAs diagnosed with advanced hematologic malignancies, mainly acute lymphoblastic leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes, as a salvage therapeutic option with considerable efficacy and safety. Herein, we aim to summarize the evidence obtained from clinical trials and observational studies on venetoclax use in AYAs with AML. Based on the available evidence, venetoclax is a safe and effective therapeutic option for R/R AML AYA patients. However, further research in larger cohorts is needed to confirm these data, establishing the benefits of a venetoclax-based regimen for this special population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Chatzikalil
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.C.); (K.R.); (E.R.); (G.A.); (A.K.)
- “Aghia Sofia” Children’s Hospital ERN-PeadCan Center, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Kleoniki Roka
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.C.); (K.R.); (E.R.); (G.A.); (A.K.)
- “Aghia Sofia” Children’s Hospital ERN-PeadCan Center, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis T. Diamantopoulos
- First Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Efthymia Rigatou
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.C.); (K.R.); (E.R.); (G.A.); (A.K.)
- “Aghia Sofia” Children’s Hospital ERN-PeadCan Center, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Avgerinou
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.C.); (K.R.); (E.R.); (G.A.); (A.K.)
- “Aghia Sofia” Children’s Hospital ERN-PeadCan Center, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Antonis Kattamis
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.C.); (K.R.); (E.R.); (G.A.); (A.K.)
- “Aghia Sofia” Children’s Hospital ERN-PeadCan Center, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Elena E. Solomou
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Patras Medical School, 26500 Rion, Greece
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Totiger TM, Ghoshal A, Zabroski J, Sondhi A, Bucha S, Jahn J, Feng Y, Taylor J. Targeted Therapy Development in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Biomedicines 2023; 11:641. [PMID: 36831175 PMCID: PMC9953553 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic developments targeting acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have been in the pipeline for five decades and have recently resulted in the approval of multiple targeted therapies. However, there remains an unmet need for molecular treatments that can deliver long-term remissions and cure for this heterogeneous disease. Previously, a wide range of small molecule drugs were developed to target sub-types of AML, mainly in the relapsed and refractory setting; however, drug resistance has derailed the long-term efficacy of these as monotherapies. Recently, the small molecule venetoclax was introduced in combination with azacitidine, which has improved the response rates and the overall survival in older adults with AML compared to those of chemotherapy. However, this regimen is still limited by cytotoxicity and is not curative. Therefore, there is high demand for therapies that target specific abnormalities in AML while sparing normal cells and eliminating leukemia-initiating cells. Despite this, the urgent need to develop these therapies has been hampered by the complexities of this heterogeneous disease, spurring the development of innovative therapies that target different mechanisms of leukemogenesis. This review comprehensively addresses the development of novel targeted therapies and the translational perspective for acute myeloid leukemia, including the development of selective and non-selective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tulasigeri M. Totiger
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Anirban Ghoshal
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Jenna Zabroski
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Anya Sondhi
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Saanvi Bucha
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Jacob Jahn
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Yangbo Feng
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Justin Taylor
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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Wang T, Hao B, Xu S, Meng J, Wen T, Liu J, Xu H. Effective RNAi in leukemia cells is enhanced by spermine-modified pullulan combined with desloratadine. Carbohydr Polym 2022; 292:119646. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.119646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Zhang J, Gao X, Yu L. Roles of Histone Deacetylases in Acute Myeloid Leukemia With Fusion Proteins. Front Oncol 2021; 11:741746. [PMID: 34540702 PMCID: PMC8440836 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.741746] [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: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Accurate orchestration of gene expression is critical for the process of normal hematopoiesis, and dysregulation is closely associated with leukemogenesis. Epigenetic aberration is one of the major causes contributing to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), where chromosomal rearrangements are frequently found. Increasing evidences have shown the pivotal roles of histone deacetylases (HDACs) in chromatin remodeling, which are involved in stemness maintenance, cell fate determination, proliferation and differentiation, via mastering the transcriptional switch of key genes. In abnormal, these functions can be bloomed to elicit carcinogenesis. Presently, HDAC family members are appealing targets for drug exploration, many of which have been deployed to the AML treatment. As the majority of AML events are associated with chromosomal translocation resulting in oncogenic fusion proteins, it is valuable to comprehensively understand the mutual interactions between HDACs and oncogenic proteins. Therefore, we reviewed the process of leukemogenesis and roles of HDAC members acting in this progress, providing an insight for the target anchoring, investigation of hyperacetylated-agents, and how the current knowledge could be applied in AML treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Zhang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Hematological Malignancies, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xuefeng Gao
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Hematological Malignancies, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Li Yu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Hematological Malignancies, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
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Cairns LV, Lappin KM, Mutch A, Ali A, Matchett KB, Mills KI. Multiplex Screening for Interacting Compounds in Paediatric Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10163. [PMID: 34576326 PMCID: PMC8468645 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease characterised by the malignant transformation of myeloid precursor cells with impaired differentiation. Standard therapy for paediatric AML has remained largely unchanged for over four decades and, combined with inadequate understanding of the biology of paediatric AML, has limited the progress of targeted therapies in this cohort. In recent years, the search for novel targets for the treatment of paediatric AML has accelerated in parallel with advanced genomic technologies which explore the mutational and transcriptional landscape of this disease. Exploiting the large combinatorial space of existing drugs provides an untapped resource for the identification of potential combination therapies for the treatment of paediatric AML. We have previously designed a multiplex screening strategy known as Multiplex Screening for Interacting Compounds in AML (MuSICAL); using an algorithm designed in-house, we screened all pairings of 384 FDA-approved compounds in less than 4000 wells by pooling drugs into 10 compounds per well. This approach maximised the probability of identifying new compound combinations with therapeutic potential while minimising cost, replication and redundancy. This screening strategy identified the triple combination of glimepiride, a sulfonylurea; pancuronium dibromide, a neuromuscular blocking agent; and vinblastine sulfate, a vinca alkaloid, as a potential therapy for paediatric AML. We envision that this approach can be used for a variety of disease-relevant screens allowing the efficient repurposing of drugs that can be rapidly moved into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren V. Cairns
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK; (K.M.L.); (A.A.); (K.I.M.)
| | - Katrina M. Lappin
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK; (K.M.L.); (A.A.); (K.I.M.)
| | - Alexander Mutch
- Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, C-TRIC, Altnagelvin Hospital Campus, Glenshane Road, Derry/Londonderry BT47 6SB, UK; (A.M.); (K.B.M.)
| | - Ahlam Ali
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK; (K.M.L.); (A.A.); (K.I.M.)
| | - Kyle B. Matchett
- Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, C-TRIC, Altnagelvin Hospital Campus, Glenshane Road, Derry/Londonderry BT47 6SB, UK; (A.M.); (K.B.M.)
| | - Ken I. Mills
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK; (K.M.L.); (A.A.); (K.I.M.)
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Gene Transcription as a Therapeutic Target in Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147340. [PMID: 34298959 PMCID: PMC8304797 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood malignancies often arise from undifferentiated hematopoietic stem cells or partially differentiated stem-like cells. A tight balance of multipotency and differentiation, cell division, and quiescence underlying normal hematopoiesis requires a special program governed by the transcriptional machinery. Acquisition of drug resistance by tumor cells also involves reprogramming of their transcriptional landscape. Limiting tumor cell plasticity by disabling reprogramming of the gene transcription is a promising strategy for improvement of treatment outcomes. Herein, we review the molecular mechanisms of action of transcription-targeted drugs in hematological malignancies (largely in leukemia) with particular respect to the results of clinical trials.
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