title: Therapeutic efficacy of prenylation inhibitors in the treatment of myeloid leukemia.
abstract: Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) represent a new class of anticancer agents that specifically target post-translational farnesylation of various proteins that mediate several cellular processes such as signal transduction, growth, differentiation, angiogenesis and apoptosis. These compounds were originally designed to block oncogenic RAS-induced tumor growth by impeding RAS localization to the membrane, but it is now evident that FTIs also affect processing of several other proteins. The need for novel therapies in myeloid leukemia is underscored by the high rate of treatment failure due to high incidences of relapse- and treatment-related toxicities. As RAS deregulation is important in the pathogenesis of myeloid leukemias, targeting of RAS signaling may provide a new therapeutic strategy. Several FTIs (eg BMS-214662, L-778,123, R-115777 and SCH66336) have entered phase I and phase II clinical trials in myeloid leukemias. This review discusses recent clinical results, potential combination therapies, mechanisms of resistance and the clinical challenges of toxicities associated with prenylation inhibitors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ganser
authors.forename: C W M
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Reuter
mesh_terms: D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D051231:Farnesyltranstransferase; D006801:Humans; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017368:Protein Prenylation / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases; D051231:Farnesyltranstransferase; D018631:ras Proteins