Antileukemia effects of xanthohumol in Bcr/Abl-transformed cells involve nuclear factor-kappaB and p53 modulation

The oncogenic Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase activates various signaling pathways including phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt and nuclear factor-kappaB that mediate proliferation, transformation, and apoptosis resistance in Bcr-Abl+ myeloid leukemia cells. The hop flavonoid xanthohumol inhibits tumor growth by targeting the nuclear factor-kappaB and Akt pathways and angiogenesis. Here, we show that xanthohumol has in vitro activity against Bcr-Abl+ cells and clinical samples and retained its cytotoxicity when imatinib mesylate-resistant K562 cells were examined. Xanthohumol inhibition of K562 cell viability was associated with induction of apoptosis, increased p21 and p53 expression, and decreased survivin levels. We show that xanthohumol strongly inhibited Bcr-Abl expression at both mRNA and protein levels and show that xanthohumol caused elevation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and that the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine blunted xanthohumol-induced events. Further, we observed that xanthohumol inhibits leukemia cell invasion, metalloprotease production, and adhesion to endothelial cells, potentially preventing in vivo life-threatening complications of leukostasis and tissue infiltration by leukemic cells. As structural mutations and/or gene amplification in Bcr-Abl can circumvent an otherwise potent anticancer drug such as imatinib, targeting Bcr-Abl expression as well as its kinase activity could be a novel additional therapeutic approach for the treatment of Bcr-Abl+ myeloid leukemia.     

Stat3 contributes to resistance toward BCR-ABL inhibitors in a bone marrow microenvironment model of drug resistance

Imatinib mesylate is a potent, molecularly targeted therapy against the oncogenic tyrosine kinase BCR-ABL. Although imatinib mesylate has considerable efficacy against chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), advanced-stage CML patients frequently become refractory to this agent. The bone marrow is the predominant microenvironment of CML and is a rich source of both soluble factors and extracellular matrices, which may influence drug response. To address the influence of the bone marrow microenvironment on imatinib mesylate sensitivity, we used an in vitro bone marrow stroma model. Our data show culturing K562 cells, in bone marrow stroma-derived conditioned medium (CM), is sufficient to cause resistance to BCR-ABL inhibitors. Drug resistance correlated with increased pTyrStat3, whereas no increases in pTyrStat5 was noted. Moreover, resistance was associated with increased levels of the Stat3 target genes Bcl-xl, Mcl-1, and survivin. Finally, reducing Stat3 levels with small interfering RNA sensitized K562 cells cultured in CM to imatinib mesylate-induced cell death. Importantly, Stat3 dependency was specific for cells grown in CM, as reducing Stat3 levels in regular growth conditions had no effect on imatinib mesylate sensitivity. Together, these data support a novel mechanism of BCR-ABL-independent imatinib mesylate resistance and provides preclinical rationale for using Stat3-inhibitors to increase the efficacy of imatinib mesylate within the context of the bone marrow microenvironment.     

新型酪氨酸激酶抑制剂HHGV678对Bcr-Abl野生型细胞株和伊马替尼耐药细胞株抑制作用的体外研究

本研究比较新型的酪氨酸激酶抑制剂HHGV678与伊马替尼(imatinib,IM)在体外对Bcr-Abl野生型和IM耐药细胞株的抑制作用,探索HHGV678替代IM治疗CML及IM耐药CML患者的可能性。以Bcr-Abl野生型细胞株(K562和32Dp210)及16种IM耐药细胞株(K562R和15种Bcr-Abl点突变细胞株)为研究对象,用MTT法检测HHGV678和IM对上述细胞的生长抑制作用;以DNA梯形条带法和Annexin-V/PI双染色流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡;应用Western blot检测HHGV678对上述细胞BCR-ABL融合蛋白及酪氨酸激酶磷酸化表达的影响。结果表明:HHGV678呈剂量依赖性显著抑制Bcr-Abl野生型细胞株和除T315I点突变细胞株以外的IM耐药细胞株生长。比较IC50发现,HHGV678在低剂量下(0.01-0.3μmol/L)抑制K562和32Dp210细胞生长的作用比IM分别强15.5和28倍;而对除T315I点突变细胞株以外的15种IM耐药细胞株细胞的生长抑制作用比IM强1.4-124.3倍。HHGV678抑制上述细胞酪氨酸激酶磷酸化的能力均强于IM。更重要的是HHGV678在10.0μmol/L剂量下诱导IM强耐药细胞株K562R和T315I点突变细胞株的凋亡率分别达到40.06%和33.32%,显著高于IM的19.77%和10.68%。结论:新型酪氨酸激酶抑制剂HHGV678对Bcr-Abl野生型细胞株和IM耐药细胞株,尤其是对IM强耐药细胞株的生长抑制作用明显强于IM,但HHGV678能否成为治疗CML和IM耐药CML患者新的靶向药物,仍有待进一步的研究。     

Kinase inhibitors in chronic myelogenous leukemia

The Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate launched the era of molecular targeted therapy and constitutes a milestone in oncology history. However, despite impressive cytogenetic response rates achieved with this agent in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in chronic phase, those with advanced-stage CML frequently obtain more modest responses that are in many instances of short duration. Several mechanisms of resistance to imatinib have been described among patients that develop clinical resistance to imatinib. Point mutations in the Bcr-Abl kinase domain that impair the ability of imatinib to inhibit the kinase activity represent the leading cause of resistance. Several approaches are being pursued to overcome these mutations. In addition, many other protein kinases implicated in signaling transduction downstream Bcr-Abl play critical roles in the pathogenesis of CML, thus representing potential therapeutic targets. Multiple compounds are being screened to identify inhibitors of these kinases. This article focuses on the current state of development of new kinase inhibitors for the therapy of CML.     

CXCR4 up-regulation by imatinib induces chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cell migration to bone marrow stroma and promotes survival of quiescent CML cells

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is driven by constitutively activated Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase, which causes the defective adhesion of CML cells to bone marrow stroma. The overexpression of p210Bcr-Abl was reported to down-regulate CXCR4 expression, and this is associated with the cell migration defects in CML. We proposed that tyrosine kinase inhibitors, imatinib or INNO-406, may restore CXCR4 expression and cause the migration of CML cells to bone marrow microenvironment niches, which in turn results in acquisition of stroma-mediated chemoresistance of CML progenitor cells. In KBM5 and K562 cells, imatinib, INNO-406, or IFN-alpha increased CXCR4 expression and migration. This increase in CXCR4 levels on CML progenitor cells was likewise found in samples from CML patients treated with imatinib or IFN-alpha. Imatinib induced G0-G1 cell cycle block in CML cells, which was further enhanced in a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) coculture system. MSC coculture protected KBM-5 cells from imatinib-induced cell death. These antiapoptotic effects were abrogated by the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3465 or by inhibitor of integrin-linked kinase QLT0267. Altogether, these findings suggest that the up-regulation of CXCR4 by imatinib promotes migration of CML cells to bone marrow stroma, causing the G0-G1 cell cycle arrest and hence ensuring the survival of quiescent CML progenitor cells.     

Novel compounds with antiproliferative activity against imatinib-resistant cell lines

Chronic myelogenous leukemia is caused by the Bcr-Abl hybrid gene that encodes the p210Bcr-Abl chimeric oncoprotein. Although it reduces the total body burden of leukemia cells, the use of imatinib mesylate as a single agent may be accompanied by the evolution of resistance due mainly to the acquisition of point mutations. Imatinib has been combined with drugs that inhibit both the active and the inactive states of the p210Bcr-Abl kinase. These combinations have reduced but not completely eliminated the rate at which point mutations are acquired in the p210Bcr-Abl kinase. Thus, it is important to identify additional new inhibitors of the p210Bcr-Abl kinase. One possible method to prevent evolution of resistance is to simultaneously use multiple kinase inhibitors each with a different mechanism of action. To identify such a new class of inhibitors that could suppress the growth of chronic myelogenous leukemia cells and prevent the evolution of cells that are resistant to imatinib, we screened two low-complexity libraries of compounds based on planar and linear scaffolds. These libraries were screened using a cell-based assay for molecules that suppress p210Bcr-Abl-dependent cell growth. The application of this method resulted in the isolation of two new classes of drugs, both of which inhibited imatinib-resistant cells in the low micromolar range. Some of these drugs were potent inhibitors not only of Abl tyrosine kinase but also of the Src, Lyn, and Fyn tyrosine kinases.     

Sonic hedgehog signaling regulates Bcr-Abl expression in human chronic myeloid leukemia cells

Purpose

Bcr-Abl fusion protein activates tyrosine kinase, resulting in the proliferation of leukemia cells, especially chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells. Imatinib (IM) effectively targets Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase, but development of resistance to IM occurs with varying frequency.

Methods

Elucidation of the common regulatory pathway upstream of Bcr-Abl in IM-sensitive and IM-resistant CML cells is important for developing novel therapeutics against CML.

Results

This study demonstrated that IM preferentially inhibited the viability and Bcr-Abl expression in IM-sensitive K562 (K562) cells, but not in Bcr-Abl overexpressing IM-resistant K562 (K562R) cells. Both K562 and K562R cells expressed Shh preproprotein, cleaved Shh C-terminal and N-terminal peptides, as well as mRNA level of major Shh signaling molecules, including sonic hedgehog (Shh), patched (PTCH), smoothened (Smo) and Gli-1. Moreover, Gli-1 translocation into nucleus was evident in these two cell lines, suggesting that both K562 and K562R cells possess activated and major components of the Shh signaling pathway. Silencing of Gli-1 by interference RNA was accompanied by inhibition of Bcr-Abl protein expression. Pharmacological suppression of Bcr-Abl expression was restored by the Smo agonist purmorpharmine. Treatment of Shh peptide in both K562 and K562R cells not only increased Shh and Gli-1 expression, but also up-regulated Bcr-Abl expression. Resveratrol, a known Bcr-Abl inhibitor, reduced Gli-1 activation and inhibited the viability of CML cells.

Conclusions

Shh signaling may regulate Bcr-Abl expression in human chronic myeloid leukemia cells. Novel compounds inhibiting both Shh signaling and Bcr-Abl expression, such as resveratrol, may have potential to be effective agents against CML independent of IM resistance.     

STI-571 (imatinib mesylate) enhances the apoptotic efficacy of pyrrolo-1,5-benzoxazepine-6, a novel microtubule-targeting agent, in both STI-571-sensitive and -resistant Bcr-Abl-positive human chronic myeloid leukemia cells

Interactions between the Bcr-Abl kinase inhibitor STI-571 (imatinib mesylate) and a novel microtubule-targeting agent (MTA), pyrrolo-1,5-benzoxazepine (PBOX)-6, were investigated in STI-571-sensitive and -resistant human chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells. Cotreatment of PBOX-6 with STI-571 induced significantly more apoptosis in Bcr-Abl-positive CML cell lines (K562 and LAMA-84) than either drug alone (P < 0.01). Cell cycle analysis of propidium iodide-stained cells showed that STI-571 significantly reduced PBOX-6-induced G2M arrest and polyploid formation with a concomitant increase in apoptosis. Similar results were obtained in K562 CML cells using lead MTAs (paclitaxel and nocodazole) in combination with STI-571. Potentiation of PBOX-6-induced apoptosis by STI-571 was specific to Bcr-Abl-positive leukemia cells with no cytoxic effects observed on normal peripheral blood cells. The combined treatment of STI-571 and PBOX-6 was associated with the down-regulation of Bcr-Abl and repression of proteins involved in Bcr-Abl transformation, namely the antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-x(L) and Mcl-1. Importantly, PBOX-6/STI-571 combinations were also effective in STI-571-resistant cells. Together, these findings highlight the potential clinical benefits in simultaneously targeting the microtubules and the Bcr-Abl oncoprotein in STI-571-sensitive and -resistant CML cells.     

Growth Arrest of BCR-ABL Positive Cells with a Sequence-Specific Polyamide-Chlorambucil Conjugate

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is characterized by the presence of a constitutively active Abl kinase, which is the product of a chimeric BCR-ABL gene, caused by the genetic translocation known as the Philadelphia chromosome. Imatinib, a selective inhibitor of the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase, has significantly improved the clinical outcome of patients with CML. However, subsets of patients lose their response to treatment through the emergence of imatinib-resistant cells, and imatinib treatment is less durable for patients with late stage CML. Although alternative Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been developed to overcome drug resistance, a cocktail therapy of different kinase inhibitors and additional chemotherapeutics may be needed for complete remission of CML in some cases. Chlorambucil has been used for treatment of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, non-Hodgkin's and Hodgkin's disease. Here we report that a DNA sequence-specific pyrrole-imidazole polyamide-chlorambucil conjugate, 1R-Chl, causes growth arrest of cells harboring both unmutated BCR-ABL and three imatinib resistant strains. 1R-Chl also displays selective toxicities against activated lymphocytes and a high dose tolerance in a murine model.     

New insights into small‐molecule inhibitors of Bcr‐Abl

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disease associated with a defined genetic abnormality, the Bcr‐Abl fusion gene on the Philadelphia chromosome that expresses the constitutively activated tyrosine kinase (TK) Bcr‐Abl. This enzyme leads to the malignant transformation of primitive hematopoietic cells and to the consequent disease. The central role of Bcr‐Abl in the pathogenesis of CML culminated in the discovery of imatinib (an ATP‐competitive inhibitor), which is currently the frontline therapy for CML. Unfortunately, the initial enthusiasm generated by its high response rate has been dampened by the development of resistance, especially in the advanced phases of CML. To overcome imatinib resistance, several second‐generation ATP‐competitive inhibitors endowed with increased potency against imatinib‐resistant mutants have been developed: the dual Src/Abl inhibitor dasatinib and the Abl inhibitor nilotinib have been recently approved by US‐FDA for the treatment of imatinib‐resistant CML, and many other compounds are currently in clinical trial. Although second‐generation TK inhibitors have shown to be clinically effective against most of the imatinib‐resistant mutants, to date poor results have been obtained in the treatment of the Bcr‐Abl T315I mutant. In this review we will report the most interesting second‐generation Abl and dual Src/Abl inhibitors recently entered in clinical trial, but also the new ATP‐competitive and uncompetitive inhibitors published in the last few years, focusing on their chemical structure, mechanism of action, and structure–activity relationship. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 31, No. 1, 1–41, 2010     

Bcr-Abl-independent imatinib-resistant K562 cells show aberrant protein acetylation and increased sensitivity to histone deacetylase inhibitors

Bcr-Abl-independent signaling pathways are known to be involved in imatinib resistance in some patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). In this study, to find new targets for imatinib-resistant CML displaying loss of Bcr-Abl kinase target dependence, we isolated imatinib-resistant variants, K562/R1, K562/R2, and K562/R3, which showed profound declines of Bcr-Abl levels and its tyrosine kinase activity, from K562 cells. Importantly, the imatinib resistance mechanism in these variants also included aberrant acetylation of nonhistone proteins such as p53, Ku70, and Hsp90 that was due to upregulation of histone deacetylases (HDACs) and down-regulation of histone acetyltransferase (HAT). In comparison with K562 cells, the imatinib-resistant variants showed up-regulation of HDAC1, -2, and -3 (class I HDACs) and class III SIRT1 and down-regulation of CBP/p300 and PCAF with HAT activity, and thereby p53 and cytoplasmic Ku70 were aberrantly acetylated. In addition, these were associated with down-regulation of Bax and up-regulation of Bcl-2. In contrast, the class II HDAC6 level was significantly decreased, and this was accompanied by an increase of Hsp90 acetylation in the imatinib-resistant variants, which was closely associated with loss of Bcr-Abl. These results indicate that alteration of the normal balance of HATs and HDACs leads to deregulated acetylation of Hsp90, p53, and Ku70 and thereby leads to imatinib resistance, suggesting the importance of the acetylation status of apoptosis-related nonhistone proteins in Bcr-Abl-independent imatinib resistance. We also revealed that imatinib-resistant K562 cells were more sensitive to suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, an HDAC inhibitor, than K562 cells. These findings may have implications for HDAC as a molecular target in imatinib-resistant leukemia cells.     

硼替佐米对慢性髓系白血病急变期原代细胞耐药的逆转作用及XIAP表达的影响

本研究旨在探讨蛋白酶体抑制剂硼替佐米对伊马替尼耐药的慢性髓系白血病(CML)急变期原代细胞药物敏感性及X连锁凋亡抑制蛋白(XIAP)表达的影响。采用MTT法观察伊马替尼单用与联合硼替佐米对伊马替尼耐药的CML急变期原代细胞生长增殖的影响,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡与P170糖蛋白的表达,实时荧光定量PCR检测XIAP基因表达。结果表明,伊马替尼及硼替佐米单药对单个核细胞均表现出抑制作用,且呈时间-剂量依赖;联合5、10 nmol/L硼替佐米能明显增强单个核细胞对伊马替尼的敏感性;流式细胞术检测显示硼替佐米作用后细胞凋亡明显增高,同时P170糖蛋白表达明显降低;实时荧光定量PCR检测显示,耐伊马替尼CML急变期原代细胞高表达XIAP基因,硼替佐米作用后其表达下调。结论:硼替佐米可抑制白血病原代细胞并提高其对伊马替尼的敏感性,硼替佐米可能通过抑制XIAP的表达从而增加凋亡,这为扩展硼替佐米在临床上治疗CML提供实验依据。     

Combi-targeting concept: an optimized single-molecule dual-targeting model for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia

Blockade of Bcr-Abl by the inhibitor Imatinib has proven efficacious in the therapy of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). However resistance to the drug emerges at the advanced phases of the disease. Therefore, novel therapy models remained to be designed. We have developed a novel dual targeted agent termed "combi-molecule" designed to not only block Bcr-Abl but also damage DNA. ZRF1, the first optimized prototype of the approach, was "programmed" to degrade into another inhibitor ZRF0 plus a methyl diazonium species. It was approximately 2-fold stronger Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor than Imatinib and a more potent DNA-damaging agent than Temodal. In the p53 wild-type Mo7p210 cells, the potency of ZRF1 was approximately 1,000-fold superior to that of the equieffective combinations of Imatinib plus Temodal. More importantly, its superior potency over Imatinib was more pronounced in Bcr-Abl-positive cells coexpressing wild-type p53. Studies to rationalize these results showed that, through its Bcr-Abl inhibitory function, it down-regulated p53. However, sufficient level of the latter protein was available for transactivating p21 and Bax, which are required for cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The results suggest that, in p53 wild-type cells, apoptosis is induced not only through Bcr-Abl inhibition but also through the p53-controlled DNA-damaging pathway, leading to an additive effect that translates into enhanced cell death. The study conclusively showed that p53 is a major determinant for the cytotoxic advantages of the novel combi-molecular approach in CML, a disease in which 70% to 85% of all the cases express wild-type p53.     

Pyrrolo-1,5-benzoxazepines induce apoptosis in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells by bypassing the apoptotic suppressor bcr-abl

Expression of the transforming oncogene bcr-abl in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells is reported to confer resistance against apoptosis induced by many chemotherapeutic agents such as etoposide, ara-C, and staurosporine. In the present study some members of a series of novel pyrrolo-1,5-benzoxazepines potently induce apoptosis, as shown by cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, in three CML cell lines, K562, KYO.1, and LAMA 84. Induction of apoptosis by a representative member of this series, PBOX-6, was not accompanied by either the down-regulation of Bcr-Abl or by the attenuation of its protein tyrosine kinase activity up to 24 h after treatment, when approximately 50% of the cells had undergone apoptosis. These results suggest that down-regulation of Bcr-Abl is not part of the upstream apoptotic death program activated by PBOX-6. By characterizing the mechanism in which this novel agent executes apoptosis, this study has revealed that PBOX-6 caused activation of caspase 3-like proteases in only two of the three CML cell lines. In addition, inhibition of caspase 3-like protease activity using the inhibitor z-DEVD-fmk blocked caspase 3-like protease activity but did not prevent the induction of apoptosis, suggesting that caspase 3-like proteases are not essential in the mechanism by which PBOX-6 induces apoptosis in CML cells. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that PBOX-6 can bypass Bcr-Abl-mediated suppression of apoptosis, suggesting an important potential use of these compounds in the treatment of CML.     

Improving frontline treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia: emerging evidence for use of nilotinib and dasatinib

The approval of imatinib in 2001 changed the landscape of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) management, becoming the standard of care and improving the survival rates of patients. With the prevalent use of imatinib worldwide, it was observed that up to one-third of patients are resistant to or intolerant of imatinib therapy, fueling the search for safer and more effective agents. The newer and more potent tyrosine kinase inhibitors nilotinib and dasatinib were first indicated for the treatment of imatinib-resistant/-intolerant patients, for whom these agents are both safe and efficacious. More recent clinical studies have examined nilotinib and dasatinib in the frontline setting in newly diagnosed patients. Data reported from the phase III ENESTnd (Evaluating Nilotinib Efficacy and Safety in Clinical Trials-Newly Diagnosed Patients) study and the DASISION (Dasatinib versus Imatinib in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Chronic-phase CML) trial support the use of nilotinib and dasatinib as potential new standards for frontline care of newly diagnosed patients with CML in chronic phase. Furthermore, both agents have received regulatory approval for use as frontline agents. These agents have demonstrated significantly superior efficacy compared with imatinib, as measured by complete cytogenetic response and major molecular response rates. In addition, progression to advanced disease was significantly lower for nilotinib, and a trend toward lower progression was observed with dasatinib. Although both nilotinib and dasatinib are generally well tolerated in the frontline setting, they have different safety profiles that may affect their selection as treatment. Understanding the efficacy, safety profiles, and patterns of resistance to various BCR-ABL1 mutations of these newer agents, as well as implementing management strategies to treat adverse events, will help physicians to provide the best therapy options for their patients with CML.     

Targeting autophagy potentiates tyrosine kinase inhibitor–induced cell death in Philadelphia chromosome–positive cells, including primary CML stem cells

Imatinib mesylate (IM), a potent inhibitor of the BCR/ABL tyrosine kinase, has become standard first-line therapy for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), but the frequency of resistance increases in advancing stages of disease. Elimination of BCR/ABL-dependent intracellular signals triggers apoptosis, but it is unclear whether this activates additional cell survival and/or death pathways. We have shown here that IM induces autophagy in CML blast crisis cell lines, CML primary cells, and p210^BCR/ABL-expressing myeloid precursor cells. IM-induced autophagy did not involve c-Abl or Bcl-2 activity but was associated with ER stress and was suppressed by depletion of intracellular Ca²⁺, suggesting it is mechanistically nonoverlapping with IM-induced apoptosis. We further demonstrated that suppression of autophagy using either pharmacological inhibitors or RNA interference of essential autophagy genes enhanced cell death induced by IM in cell lines and primary CML cells. Critically, the combination of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), i.e., IM, nilotinib, or dasatinib, with inhibitors of autophagy resulted in near complete elimination of phenotypically and functionally defined CML stem cells. Together, these findings suggest that autophagy inhibitors may enhance the therapeutic effects of TKIs in the treatment of CML.     

Protein kinases as targets for anticancer agents: from inhibitors to useful drugs

Many components of mitogenic signaling pathways in normal and neoplastic cells have been identified, including the large family of protein kinases, which function as components of signal transduction pathways, playing a central role in diverse biological processes, such as control of cell growth, metabolism, differentiation, and apoptosis. The development of selective protein kinase inhibitors that can block or modulate diseases caused by abnormalities in these signaling pathways is widely considered a promising approach for drug development. Because of their deregulation in human cancers, protein kinases, such as Bcr-Abl, those in the epidermal growth factor-receptor (HER) family, the cell cycle regulating kinases such as the cyclin-dependent kinases, as well as the vascular endothelial growth factor-receptor kinases involved in the neo-vascularization of tumors, are among the protein kinases considered as prime targets for the development of selective inhibitors. These drug-discovery efforts have generated inhibitors and low-molecular weight therapeutics directed against the ATP-binding site of various protein kinases that are in various stages of development (up to Phase II/III clinical trials). Three examples of inhibitors of protein kinases are reviewed, including low-molecular weight compounds targeting the cell cycle kinases; a potent and selective inhibitor of the HER1/HER2 receptor tyrosine kinase, the pyrollopyrimidine PKI166; and the 2-phenyl-aminopyrimidine STI571 (Glivec(R), Gleevec) a targeted drug therapy directed toward Bcr-Abl, the key player in chronic leukemia (CML). Some members of the HER family of receptor tyrosine kinases, in particular HER1 and HER2, have been found to be overexpressed in a variety of human tumors, suggesting that inhibition of HER signaling would be a viable antiproliferative strategy. The pyrrolo-pyrimidine PKI166 was developed as an HER1/HER2 inhibitor with potent in vitro antiproliferative and in vivo antitumor activity. Based upon its clear association with disease, the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase in CML represents the ideal target to validate the clinical utility of protein kinase inhibitors as therapeutic agents. In a preclinical model, STI571 (Glivec(R), Gleevec) showed potent in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity that was selective for Abl, c-Kit, and the platelet-derived growth factor-receptor. Phase I/II studies demonstrated that STI571 is well tolerated, and that it showed promising hematological and cytogenetic responses in CML and clinical responses in the c-Kit-driven gastrointestinal tumors.     

肿瘤干细胞在伊马替尼耐药慢性髓系白血病细胞株中的表征

背景:慢性髓细胞白血病因为伊马替尼的应用出现了重大转机。但由于伊马替尼的耐药性,应用该药治疗的白血病患者预后较差,特别是对于急变期白血病患者。目的:观察肿瘤干细胞在伊马替尼ST1571耐药的慢性髓细胞白血病细胞系K562中的表征,阐明白血病细胞系对伊马替尼ST1571耐药的机制。设计:观察性对比实验。单位:河南省肿瘤医院,河南省血液病研究所。材料:选用5周龄BALB/c-nu/nu小鼠30只,雌性,由中国医学科学院动物中心提供。ST1571由北京诺华制药有限公司提供。足叶乙甙(Vp16)购自德国Bristol-Myers Squibb;抗P-gp购自美国Santa Cruz公司。抗ab1购自美国BD Biosciences公司。实验过程中对动物的处置符合动物伦理学标准。方法:实验于2003-09/2005-11在河南省血液病研究所完成。经过对K562细胞系长期的足叶乙甙(Vp16)诱导和克隆筛选,建立了一株耐药细胞系K562Np16;利用于细胞高效能将Hoechst 33342荧光染料泵出细胞的特性,采用流式细胞分选方法从K562/Vp16细胞系中分选出一小群细胞,即边缘细胞(SP),称为K562/Vp16 SP细胞,余下部分为K562/Vp16非SP细胞。为了分析白血病细胞对伊马替尼ST1571耐药的机制,分别检测K562,K562/Vp16非SP细胞或K562/Vp16 SP细胞中MDR1,Bcr-Abl和P-gp的表达。另外,按每只BALB/c-nu/nu小鼠1000个K562、K562/Vp16非SP细胞或K562/Vp16 SP细胞的数量分别对其进行腹腔注射。主要观察指标:K562/Vp16非SP细胞或K562/Vp16 SP细胞对ST1571的耐药性和致瘤性。结果:Bcr/Abl和Abl蛋白在K562细胞、K562/Vp16 SP细胞及K562/Vp16非SP细胞中的表达水平差异无显著性意义(P>0.05);P-gp在K562细胞中不表达,在K562/Vp16 SP及K562Np16非SP细胞中均高表达且表达水平一致(P>0.05);与K562/Vp16非SP细胞比较,K562/Vp16 SP细胞对伊马替尼的耐药性更强,并且这种抗性几乎不能被多种多药耐药逆转剂逆转;另外,体内外实验显示,K562/Vp16细胞的致瘤性几乎全部来源于K562/Vp16 SP细胞。结论:Bcr/Abl基因的扩增、过度表达和多药耐药基因及其蛋白表达产物P-gp的高表达,也许并不是白血病细胞产生对伊马替尼临床耐药的重要机制;白血病细胞对伊马替尼具有一定的抗性.可能与数量极少的白血病干细胞有直接的关系。因此,这类数量极少的干细胞样的肿瘤细胞应当成为有效治疗肿瘤的靶细胞。