Dasatinib (BMS-354825) targets an earlier progenitor population than imatinib in primary CML but does not eliminate the quiescent fraction.
Dasatinib (BMS-354825), a novel dual SRC/BCR-ABL kinase inhibitor, exhibits greater potency than imatinib mesylate (IM) and inhibits the majority of kinase mutations in IM-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). We have previously demonstrated that IM reversibly blocks proliferation but does not induce apoptosis of primitive CML cells. Here, we have attempted to overcome this resistance with dasatinib. Primitive IM-resistant CML cells showed only single-copy BCR-ABL but expressed significantly higher BCR-ABL transcript levels and BCR-ABL protein compared with more mature CML cells (P = .031). In addition, CrKL phosphorylation was higher in the primitive CD34(+)CD38(-) than in the total CD34(+) population (P = .002). In total CD34(+) CML cells, IM inhibited phosphorylation of CrKL at 16 but not 72 hours, consistent with enrichment of an IM-resistant primitive population. CD34(+)CD38(-) CML cells proved resistant to IM-induced inhibition of CrKL phosphorylation and apoptosis, whereas dasatinib led to significant inhibition of CrKL phosphorylation. Kinase domain mutations were not detectable in either IM or dasatinib-resistant primitive CML cells. These data confirm that dasatinib is more effective than IM within the CML stem cell compartment; however, the most primitive quiescent CML cells appear to be inherently resistant to both drugs.
Division of Cancer Sciences and Molecular Pathology, University of Glasgow, UK.
Mhairi
M
Copland
Ashley
A
Hamilton
Lucy J
LJ
Elrick
Janet W
JW
Baird
Elaine K
EK
Allan
Niove
N
Jordanides
Martin
M
Barow
Joanne C
JC
Mountford
Tessa L
TL
Holyoake
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000378:metabolism; D018952:Antigens, CD34; D001549:Benzamides; D000069439:Dasatinib; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / Q000235:genetics; D018628:Gene Dosage; D018922:HL-60 Cells; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D020014:K562 Cells; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D018952:Antigens, CD34; D001549:Benzamides; C082869:CRKL protein; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D013844:Thiazoles; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl; D000069439:Dasatinib