DPPIV (CD26) as a novel stem cell marker in Ph+ chronic myeloid leukaemia

The concept of leukaemic stem cells (LSCs) has been developed to explain the complex cellular hierarchy and biology of leukaemias and to screen for pivotal targets that can be employed to improve drug therapies through LSC eradication in these patients. Some of the newly discovered LSC markers seem to be expressed in a disease‐specific manner and may thus serve as major research tools and diagnostic parameters. A useful LSC marker in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) appears to be CD26, also known as dipeptidylpeptidase IV. Expression of CD26 is largely restricted to CD34⁺/CD38^? LSCs in BCR/ABL1⁺ CML, but is not found on LSCs in other myeloid or lymphoid neoplasms, with the exception of lymphoid blast crisis of CML, BCR/ABL1_p210+ acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, and a very few cases of acute myeloid leukaemia. Moreover, CD26 usually is not expressed on normal bone marrow (BM) stem cells. Functionally, CD26 is a cytokine‐targeting surface enzyme that may facilitate the mobilization of LSCs from the BM niche. In this article, we review our current knowledge about the biology and function of CD26 on CML LSCs and discuss the diagnostic potential of this new LSC marker in clinical haematology.     

Imatinib-induced apoptosis: a possible link to topoisomerase enzyme inhibition

What is known and Objective: Imatinib is a specific BCR/ABL inhibitor, commonly used for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), a hematological malignancy resulting from a chromosomal translocation that generates the BCR/ABL fusion protein. Recent studies showed that the imatinib has cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on many BCR/ABL‐negative cancers. Numerous compounds with cytotoxic potential exert their functions by interfering with the DNA topoisomerase. In this study, we examined the effects of imatinib on tumour cell‐killing in relation to DNA topoisomerase enzyme inhibition. Methods: We determined the cytotoxicity by cell proliferation assay (XTT; tetrazolium hydroxide), using the human K562 CML cells, and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential by monitoring the changes in caspase‐3 enzyme activity. Type I and II topoisomerase activities were measured by supercoiled plasmid relaxation and minicircle DNA decatenation assays respectively. Results and Discussion: Imatinib‐induced apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation in a dose‐dependent manner. We also found that the imatinib was effective in both type I and type II topoisomerase reactions to a varying degree between 94% and 7% for the concentration range of 1 mm– 0·02 mm in a dose‐dependent manner. What is new and Conclusion: Our results suggest that the inhibition of topoisomerases may be a significant factor in imatinib‐induced apoptosis in CML.     

CD27 signaling on chronic myelogenous leukemia stem cells activates Wnt target genes and promotes disease progression

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) results from a chromosomal translocation in hematopoietic stem or early progenitor cells that gives rise to the oncogenic BCR/ABL fusion protein. Clinically, CML has a chronic phase that eventually evolves into an accelerated stage and blast crisis. A CML-specific immune response is thought to contribute to the control of disease. Whether the immune system can also promote disease progression is not known. In the present study, we investigated the possibility that the TNF receptor family member CD27 is present on leukemia stem cells (LSCs) and mediates effects of the immune system on CML. In a mouse model of CML, BCR/ABL+ LSCs and leukemia progenitor cells were found to express CD27. Binding of CD27 by its ligand, CD70, increased expression of Wnt target genes in LSCs by enhancing nuclear localization of active β-catenin and TRAF2- and NCK-interacting kinase (TNIK). This resulted in increased proliferation and differentiation of LSCs. Blocking CD27 signaling in LSCs delayed disease progression and prolonged survival. Furthermore, CD27 was expressed on CML stem/progenitor cells in the bone marrow of CML patients, and CD27 signaling promoted growth of BCR/ABL+ human leukemia cells by activating the Wnt pathway. Since expression of CD70 is limited to activated lymphocytes and dendritic cells, our results reveal a mechanism by which adaptive immunity contributes to leukemia progression. In addition, targeting CD27 on LSCs may represent an attractive therapeutic approach to blocking the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in CML.     

RHBDD1基因在慢性髓系白血病患者骨髓细胞中的表达及临床意义

本研究旨在检测RHBDD1（Rhomboid domain containing 1）基因在慢性髓系白血病（CML）患者骨髓细胞中的表达水平并初步探讨其临床意义。采用实时定量PCR的方法检测RHBDD1在正常人和CML患者骨髓单个核细胞中的相对表达水平。结果表明,CML患者RHBDD1的表达水平明显高于正常人;BCR／ABL p210表达阴性的患者RHBDD1的表达水平显著高于BCR／ABLp210阳性的患者;≥50岁的患者RHBDD1表达水平低于〈50岁的患者;RHBDD1的表达水平与患者的性别无明显相关性。结论：RHBDD1基因可能参与了CML的发生与发展,尤其在BCR／ABL p210阴性患者的发病中可能发挥重要作用。     

Evaluation of antileukaemic effects of rapamycin in patients with imatinib-resistant chronic myeloid leukaemia

Background Recent data suggest that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is involved in the regulation of growth of neoplastic cells in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). Patients and methods We treated six patients with imatinib‐resistant CML in haematological relapse (leukocytes > 20 000 µL^?1) with rapamycin at 2 mg per os daily for 14 consecutive days, with dose‐adjustment allowed to reach a target rapamycin serum concentration of 10–20 pg mL^?1. Results A major leukocyte response with decrease to less than 10 000 µL^?1 was obtained in two patients, and a minor transient response was seen in two other patients. In responding patients, we also observed a decrease in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA levels in circulating leukaemic cells. Side effects during rapamycin treatment were mild in most patients. In one patient, pneumonia developed. Rapamycin was also found to counteract growth of CML cells in vitro as determined by ³H‐thymidine incorporation. Moreover, rapamycin inhibited the growth of Ba/F3 cells exhibiting various imatinib‐resistant mutants of BCR/ABL, including the T315I variant that exhibits resistance against most currently available BCR/ABL kinase inhibitors. Conclusions Rapamycin shows antileukaemic effects in imatinib‐resistant CML in vitro and in vivo. Larger trials with rapamycin or rapamycin‐derivatives in combination with other targeted drugs are warranted to further determine clinical efficacy in CML.     

The P190, P210, and P230 forms of the BCR/ABL oncogene induce a similar chronic myeloid leukemia-like syndrome in mice but have different lymphoid leukemogenic activity

The product of the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) translocation, the BCR/ABL oncogene, exists in three principal forms (P190, P210, and P230 BCR/ABL) that are found in distinct forms of Ph-positive leukemia, suggesting the three proteins have different leukemogenic activity. We have directly compared the tyrosine kinase activity, in vitro transformation properties, and in vivo leukemogenic activity of the P190, P210, and P230 forms of BCR/ABL. P230 exhibited lower intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity than P210 and P190. Although all three oncogenes transformed both myeloid (32D cl3) and lymphoid (Ba/F3) interleukin (IL)-3-dependent cell lines to become independent of IL-3 for survival and growth, their ability to stimulate proliferation of Ba/F3 lymphoid cells differed and correlated directly with tyrosine kinase activity. In a murine bone marrow transduction/transplantation model, the three forms of BCR/ABL were equally potent in the induction of a chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)-like myeloproliferative syndrome in recipient mice when 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-treated donors were used. Analysis of proviral integration showed the CML-like disease to be polyclonal and to involve multiple myeloid and B lymphoid lineages, implicating a primitive multipotential target cell. Secondary transplantation revealed that only certain minor clones gave rise to day 12 spleen colonies and induced disease in secondary recipients, suggesting heterogeneity among the target cell population. In contrast, when marrow from non- 5-FU-treated donors was used, a mixture of CML-like disease, B lymphoid acute leukemia, and macrophage tumors was observed in recipients. P190 BCR/ABL induced lymphoid leukemia with shorter latency than P210 or P230. The lymphoid leukemias and macrophage tumors had provirus integration patterns that were oligo- or monoclonal and limited to the tumor cells, suggesting a lineage-restricted target cell with a requirement for additional events in addition to BCR/ABL transduction for full malignant transformation. These results do not support the hypothesis that P230 BCR/ABL induces a distinct and less aggressive form of CML in humans, and suggest that the rarity of P190 BCR/ABL in human CML may reflect infrequent BCR intron 1 breakpoints during the genesis of the Ph chromosome in stem cells, rather than intrinsic differences in myeloid leukemogenicity between P190 and P210.     

Chronic myeloid leukemia: current perspectives

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), characterized by the t(9;22) and BCR/ABL1 fusion, is a disease model for studying the mechanisms of genetic abnormalities in leukemogenesis. The detection of the t(9;22), characterization of the BCR/ABL fusion, and the discovery of imatinib have elegantly reflected the success of our research efforts in CML. However, genomic instabilities that lead to the formation of the BCR/ ABL1 fusion are not fully understood. It is important to understand how various genes that are involved in regulating the signaling pathway and epigenetic deregulation cooperate with the BCR/ABL1 fusion in the initiation and progression of CML.     

Liposomal cytarabine for treatment of myeloid central nervous system relapse in chronic myeloid leukaemia occurring during imatinib therapy

BACKGROUND: Central nervous system (CNS) relapse in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is rare and if recorded is usually found to occur in patients with lymphoblastic transformation. The BCR/ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib is highly effective in patients with CML, but hardly crosses the blood-brain barrier. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report on two CML patients who developed a myeloid CNS relapse during treatment with imatinib. One patient was in major cytogenetic response at the time of CNS relapse. In both cases, the myeloid origin of neoplastic cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was demonstrable by immunophenotyping, and their leukaemic origin by detection of the BCR/ABL oncoprotein. No BCR/ABL kinase domain mutations were found. Both patients received intrathecal liposomal cytarabine (50 mg each cycle; 6 cycles). In one patient, additional CNS radiation was performed, whereas in the other, consecutive treatment with dasatinib (70 mg per os twice daily) was started. RESULTS: In response to therapy, the clinical symptoms resolved, and the leukaemic cells in the CSF disappeared in both cases. After three months of observation, both patients are in complete cytogenetic and major molecular response, without evidence for a systemic or a CNS relapse. CONCLUSIONS: 'Anatomic' resistance against imatinib in the CNS can lead to a myeloid CNS relapse. Liposomal cytarabine with or without radiation is effective as local therapy in these patients. For systemic treatment and prophylaxis, BCR/ABL kinase inhibitors crossing the blood-brain barrier such as dasatinib should be considered in patients with CNS relapse.     

Chronic myeloid leukemia: pathophysiology,diagnostic parameters,and current treatment concepts

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a stem cell disease characterized by excessive accumulation of clonal myeloid (precursor) cells in hematopoietic tissues. CML cells display the translocation t(9; 22) that creates the bcr/abl oncogene. The respective oncoprotein (= BCR/ABL) exhibits constitutive tyrosine kinase activity and promotes growth and survival in CML cells. Clinically, CML can be divided into three phases: the chronic phase (CP), the accelerated phase (AP), and the blast phase (BP) that resembles acute leukemia. Progression to AP and BP is associated with occurrence of additional genetic defects that cooperate with bcr/abl in leukemogenesis and lead to resistance against antileukemic drugs. The prognosis in CML is variable depending on the phase of disease, age, and response to therapy. The only curative approach available to date is stem cell transplantation. For those who cannot be transplanted, the BCR/ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor STI571 (Glivec, Imatinib), interferon-alpha (with or without ARAC), or other cytoreductive drugs are prescribed. Currently available data show that STI571 is a superior compound compared to other drugs in producing complete cytogenetic and molecular responses. However, despite superior initial data and high expectations for an effect on survival, long term results are not available so far, and resistance against STI571 has been reported. Forthcoming strategies are therefore attempting to prevent or counteract STI571 resistance by co-administration of other antileukemic drugs. Whether these strategies will lead to curative drug therapy in CML in the future remains at present unknown.     

BCR/ABL-mediated increased expression of multiple known and novel genes that may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic myelogenous leukemia

The BCR/ABL chimeric protein plays a central role in the pathogenesis of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Intensive research has elucidated many signal transduction pathways activated by BCR/ABL. However, few studies addressed BCR/ABL-dependent alterations in gene expression that may contribute to the pathobiology of CML. To additionally define such downstream genes, we performed a subtractive hybridization between cord blood (CB) CD34(+) cells transduced with an MSCV-retrovirus vector containing either enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) alone or p210(BCR/ABL)-internal ribosome entry site-eGFP. Thirty-four subtracted clones expressed in p210-eGFP but not eGFP-transduced CD34(+) cells have been confirmed by Northern blot and sequenced. Fifty-nine percent represent novel proteins, and 41% are homologous to known genes. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis confirmed that 14 of 14 genes tested were also overexpressed in additional populations of p210(BCR/ABL)-transduced CB CD34(+) cells, as well as in CD34(+) cells from primary newly diagnosed CML patients versus GFP-transduced CB or samples from normal donors. Western blot analysis showed that the known sequences were also overexpressed at the protein level. Treatment of BCR/ABL(+) cells with the Abl-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor STI571 decreased expression at the mRNA as well as protein level of some but not all of the gene products. This suggests that increased gene expression is in some cases tyrosine kinase-independent. Some of the overexpressed genes are implicated in cellular processes known to be disturbed in CML, including the mitogen-activated protein kinase or the ubiquitin pathway, whereas overexpression of other genes, including RAN and NUP98, may implicate new cellular pathways involved in CML. Additional characterization of downstream genes activated by BCR/ABL may lead to important new insights in the molecular mechanisms underlying CML and identify potentially novel therapeutic targets for 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.     

RQ-PCR在慢性粒细胞白血病细胞BCR-ABL融合基因检测中的应用

目的探讨采用实时荧光定量逆转录聚合酶链反应(RQ-PCR)技术检测慢性粒细胞白血病(CML)细胞的BCRABLp210融合基因的临床价值。方法应用RQ-PCR技术对60例CML患者骨髓细胞BCR-ABLp210融合基因进行定量检测分析。结果 60例BCR-ABLp210融合基因阳性的CML患者中,慢性期33例,加速期13例,急变期14例,且CML急变期患者BCR-ABLp210转录本水平明显高于慢性期和加速期患者。经异基因造血干细胞移植治疗或经伊马替尼治疗6个月后,BCRABLp210转录本水平均较6个月前明显降低。但这两种方法治疗CML患者12个月后的效果比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05),而采用其他酪氨酸激酶抑制剂治疗CML 12个月后也可达到相似的治疗效果。结论 RQ-PCR技术监测CML患者细胞BCR-ABLp210融合基因表达有助于CML的诊断、治疗效果评价及微小残留的监测。     

慢性髓系白血病急变期分子遗传学研究进展

9号和22号染色体相互易位产生Ph染色体及BCR-ABL融合基因,几乎在所有慢性髓系白血病（CML）出现,BCR-ABL编码的蛋白具有持续增高的酪氨酸激酶活性,使白血病细胞异常增殖。急变期是CML的晚期,在此期间常常出现其它附加染色体和分子的改变。大量研究表明,BCR-ABL基因与其他失调的基因共同作用并异常激活下游的信号传导通路,促进了疾病的进展。酪氨酸激酶抑制剂伊马替尼对大多数慢性期CML患者治疗效果显著。IRIS5年的临床试验显示：用伊马替尼治疗的98%患者达血液学完全缓解,92%患者达主要细胞遗传学缓解,87%患者达完全细胞遗传学缓解。然而,仍有少数慢性期和大多数进展期患者用伊马替尼治疗疗效欠佳。在耐药机制的研究中发现ABL激酶区点突变与临床耐药关系密切。第二代酪氨酸激酶抑制剂可改善伊马替尼耐药,本文就急性变的分子机制、伊马替尼耐药等做一综述。     

Differential diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia and the related disorders]

Chronic myeloid leukemia(CML) is a generic term that includes five subtypes; i.e. chronic granulocytic leukemia(CGL) (95% of all CML, 90% are Ph+, 5% are Ph-, BCR/ABL+), atypical CML(survival is worse than that of CGL), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia(a subtype of myelodysplastic syndrome), chronic neutrophilic leukemia (Ph-, BCR/ABL-) and juvenile CML(Ph-, BCR/ABL-). It is not so easy to make a diagnosis of Ph-negative CML. Also, about 25% of adult acute lymphoid leukemia(ALL) patients and some essential thrombocythemia patients have Ph chromosome. In addition, about a half of cases with Ph-positive ALL have the same size of BCR/ABL fusion protein as that in Ph-positive CML. It is necessary to distinguish them by the distinctive morphological, cytogenetical and immunological characteristics of these diseases.     

慢性髓细胞白血病BCR/ABL1突变克隆演化和治疗策略

伊马替尼的应用使很多慢性髓细胞白血病(chronic myeloid leukemia,CML)患者获得了长期生存,但是CML的BCR-ABL1融合基因激酶区突变(kinase domain mutation,KDM)会造成耐药.KDM有多种类型,不同类型是随机出现的.带有不同KDM特征的白血病克隆有一定的演变规律.在伊马替尼用药期间,耐药程度较高的突变细胞容易发展为优势克隆.建议在治疗伊马替尼耐药的CML时,除了努力发展下一代酪氨酸激酶抑制剂以外,还可考虑用传统药物来辅助治疗.     

慢性髓系白血病Ph染色体分析与bcr/abl mRNA检测

目的 为进一步明确慢性髓系白血病（ＣＭＬ）患者中Ｐｈ染色体阳性细胞与ｂｃｒ／ａｂｌ融合基因表达之间的关系和比较细胞遗传学分的与聚合酶链反应（ＰＣＲ）方法在ＣＭＬ应用中的优缺点,方法 用热变性姬姆萨Ｒ显带（ＲＨＧ）技术和逆转录筑巢式聚合酶链反应（ＲＴ－ｎｅｓｔ－ＰＣＲ）对３３例ＣＭＬ患者的骨髓或外周血进行了分析,对其中１１例异基因骨髓移植（Ａｌｌｏ－ＢＭＴ）或α干扰素（ＩＦＮ－α）＋小剂量羟基脲（Ｈ     

骨髓形态学染色联合荧光原位杂交技术在急性白血病鉴别诊断中的应用

目的 探讨联合骨髓形态学染色和荧光原位杂交(MGG-FISH)技术在Ph染色体阳性急性淋巴细胞白血病(Ph+ALL)和慢性粒细胞白血病急性淋巴细胞白血病变(CML-LBC)鉴别诊断中的临床应用价值.方法 应用BCR(绿色)和ABL(橘红色)双色双融合探针,通过MGG-FISH技术对4例Ph+ALL患者、4例CML-LBC患者、1例CML急性白血病变合并淋巴瘤、1例CML急性混合细胞白血病变患者的骨髓涂片标本进行检测,依据形态学分别检测10份标本红细胞系、粒细胞系和淋巴细胞系的BCR/ABL融合信号阳性细胞百分率.结果 通过MGG-FISH方法分析,4份Ph+ALL骨髓标本红细胞系未累及,BCR/ABL融合信号阳性细胞百分率均为0%;粒细胞系阳性率分别为11%(1/9)、8%(1/12)、0%(0/8)、10%(1/10);淋巴细胞系阳性率分别为97%(76/78)、98%(87/89)、98%(97/99)、97%(75/77).4份CML-LBC骨髓标本红细胞系阳性率分别为100%(8/8)、91%(10/11)、82%(9/11)、88%(7/8);粒细胞系阳性率分别为89%(8/9)、96%(94/98)、100%(47/47)、98%(40/41);淋巴细胞系阳性率分别为96%(78/81)、93%(52/56)、96%(68/71)、95%(58/61).其余2份标本阳性率均超过80%,且通过MGG-FISH分析鉴定了恶性克隆的来源.结论 MGG-FISH技术可以准确、快速地对原发性Ph+ALL和CML-LBC进行鉴别,并可进行克隆源性分析.     

Expression of Constitutively Active Raf-1 in the Mitochondria Restores Antiapoptotic and Leukemogenic Potential of a Transformation-deficient BCR/ABL Mutant

The oncogenic BCR/ABL protein protects hematopoietic cells from apoptosis induced by growth factor deprivation, but the mechanisms are only partially understood. A BCR/ABL mutant lacking amino acids 176–426 in the BCR domain (p185ΔBCR) failed to protect interleukin 3–deprived 32Dcl3 myeloid precursor cells from apoptosis, although it possessed tyrosine kinase activity and was capable of activating the Ras-Raf-MAP kinase pathway. Compared to p185 wild-type transfectants, p185ΔBCR-transfected cells showed markedly reduced levels of Bcl-2 and expressed the hypophosphorylated, proapoptotic form of BAD. Bcl-2 expression in the mitochondrial fraction of p185ΔBCR cells was also markedly diminished and mitochondrial RAF was undetectable. In p185ΔBCR cells transfected with a mitochondria-targeted, constitutively active RAF (M-Raf) BAD was expressed in the hyperphosphorylated form and released from the mitochondria into the cytosol. p185ΔBCR/M-Raf–transfected cells were completely resistant to apoptosis induced by growth factor deprivation in vitro. Moreover, constitutive expression of dominant-negative M-Raf (K375W) enhanced the susceptibility of 32Dcl3 cells expressing wild-type BCR/ABL to apoptosis. In severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice, p185ΔBCR/M-Raf double transfectants were leukemogenic, whereas cells expressing only p185ΔBCR showed no leukemogenic potential. Together, these data support the existence of a BCR/ABL-dependent pathway that leads to expression of an active RAF in the mitochondria and promotes antiapoptotic and leukemia-inducing effects of BCR/ABL.