STI-571 (imatinib mesylate) enhances the apoptotic efficacy of pyrrolo-1,5-benzoxazepine-6, a novel microtubule-targeting agent, in both STI-571-sensitive and -resistant Bcr-Abl-positive human chronic myeloid leukemia cells.
Interactions between the Bcr-Abl kinase inhibitor STI-571 (imatinib mesylate) and a novel microtubule-targeting agent (MTA), pyrrolo-1,5-benzoxazepine (PBOX)-6, were investigated in STI-571-sensitive and -resistant human chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells. Cotreatment of PBOX-6 with STI-571 induced significantly more apoptosis in Bcr-Abl-positive CML cell lines (K562 and LAMA-84) than either drug alone (P < 0.01). Cell cycle analysis of propidium iodide-stained cells showed that STI-571 significantly reduced PBOX-6-induced G2M arrest and polyploid formation with a concomitant increase in apoptosis. Similar results were obtained in K562 CML cells using lead MTAs (paclitaxel and nocodazole) in combination with STI-571. Potentiation of PBOX-6-induced apoptosis by STI-571 was specific to Bcr-Abl-positive leukemia cells with no cytoxic effects observed on normal peripheral blood cells. The combined treatment of STI-571 and PBOX-6 was associated with the down-regulation of Bcr-Abl and repression of proteins involved in Bcr-Abl transformation, namely the antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-x(L) and Mcl-1. Importantly, PBOX-6/STI-571 combinations were also effective in STI-571-resistant cells. Together, these findings highlight the potential clinical benefits in simultaneously targeting the microtubules and the Bcr-Abl oncoprotein in STI-571-sensitive and -resistant CML cells.
Greene
Lisa M
LM
School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College, Dublin 2, United Kingdom.
Kelly
Liam
L
Onnis
Valeria
V
Campiani
Giuseppe
G
Lawler
Mark
M
Williams
D Clive
DC
Zisterer
Daniela M
DM
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001549:Benzamides; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D004357:Drug Synergism; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / Q000378:metabolism*; D018922:HL-60 Cells; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D020014:K562 Cells; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008870:Microtubules / Q000187:drug effects*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D064549:Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D010077:Oxazepines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000067856:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / Q000378:metabolism; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051020:bcl-X Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
D001549:Benzamides; D064549:Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D010077:Oxazepines; D010879:Piperazines; D000067856:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D011743:Pyrimidines; D011758:Pyrroles; D051020:bcl-X Protein; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl; C418868:PBOX-6