title: Targeting mitochondria to overcome conventional and bortezomib/proteasome inhibitor PS-341 resistance in multiple myeloma (MM) cells.
abstract: Bortezomib (PS-341), a selective inhibitor of proteasomes, induces apoptosis in multiple myeloma (MM) cells; however, prolonged drug exposure may result in cumulative toxicity and the development of chemoresistance. Here we show that combining PK-11195 (PK), an antagonist to mitochondrial peripheral benzodiazepine receptors (PBRs), with bortezomib triggers synergistic anti-MM activity even in doxorubicin-, melphalan-, thalidomide-, dexamethasone-, and bortezomib-resistant MM cells. No significant cytotoxicity was noted in normal lymphocytes. Low-dose combined PK and bortezomib treatment overcomes the growth, survival, and drug resistance conferred by interleukin-6 or insulin growth factor within the MM bone marrow milieu. The mechanism of PK + bortezomib-induced apoptosis includes: loss of mitochondrial membrane potential; superoxide generation; release of mitochondrial proteins cytochrome-c (cyto-c) and Smac; and activation of caspases-8/-9/-3. Furthermore, PK + bortezomib activates c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase (JNK), which translocates to mitochondria, thereby facilitating release of cyto-c and Smac from mitochondria to cytosol. Blocking JNK, by either dominant-negative mutant (DN-JNK) or cotreatment with a specific JNK inhibitor SP600125, abrogates both PK + bortezomib-induced release of cyto-c/Smac and induction of apoptosis. Together, these preclinical studies suggest that combining bortezomib with PK may enhance its clinical efficacy, reduce attendant toxicity, and overcome conventional and bortezomib resistance in patients with relapsed refractory MM.
authors.affiliation: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney St, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
authors.forename: Dharminder
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chauhan
authors.forename: Guilan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Podar
authors.forename: Teru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hideshima
authors.forename: Constantine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mitsiades
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schlossman
authors.forename: Nikhil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Munshi
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: Finbarr E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Cotter
authors.forename: Kenneth C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001897:Boronic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000069286:Bortezomib; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000378:metabolism; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000187:drug effects*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D058787:GABA-A Receptor Antagonists; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000494:pharmacology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000494:pharmacology; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D061988:Proteasome Inhibitors; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001897:Boronic Acids; D058787:GABA-A Receptor Antagonists; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007546:Isoquinolines; D061988:Proteasome Inhibitors; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D011719:Pyrazines; D013481:Superoxides; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D000069286:Bortezomib; D045304:Cytochromes c; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D020169:Caspases; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; C037850:PK 11195