title: Proteasome inhibition as novel treatment strategy in leukaemia.
abstract: Following its success in multiple myeloma (MM), proteasome inhibition has become a topic of interest as novel treatment strategy of cancer. By simultaneously affecting multiple pathways in the cancer cell, such as deregulation of the programmed degradation of many cellular proteins, proteasome inhibition causes rapid apoptosis of these cells. Both in rapidly proliferating leukaemic cell lines and in primary leukaemic cells isolated from patients, proteasome inhibition results in antileukaemic activity. The normal counterparts of these cells are much more resistant to proteasome inhibitors (PI), thereby resulting in a favourable therapeutic index. Importantly, while leukaemic stem cells are sensitive to proteasome inhibition, normal haematopoietic stem cells are still viable after drug exposure. Nowadays, many PIs are being identified; bortezomib is the most well known since obtaining Food and Drug Administration approval for clinical use in MM. This review summarises the biological and clinical aspects of proteasome inhibition and discusses the potential role of these inhibitors in the treatment of leukaemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Oncology/Haematology, VU University Medical Centre, De Boelelaan, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vink
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cloos
authors.forename: G J L
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Kaspers
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001897:Boronic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069286:Bortezomib; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D017321:Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D025801:Ubiquitin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001897:Boronic Acids; D016328:NF-kappa B; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D011719:Pyrazines; D025801:Ubiquitin; D000069286:Bortezomib