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MAP kinase/ERK kinase (MEK)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinases are frequently activated in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and can have prosurvival function. The purpose of this study was to induce downmodulation of MEK-ERK activation in AML primary blasts in order to detect the effect on cell cycle progression and on the apoptosis of leukemic cells. We investigated 14 cases of AML with high ERK 1/2 activity and four cases with undetectable or very low activity. After 24?h incubation of the AML blasts with high ERK activity using PD98059 (New England BioLabs, Beverly, MA, USA), a selective inhibitor of MEK1 phosphorylation, at concentrations of 20 and 40?µM, we observed a strong decrease in the levels of ERK1/2 activity. A significant decrease of blast cell proliferation compared with untreated controls was found. In contrast, the proliferation of blast cells that expressed low or undetectable levels of ERK activity was not inhibited. Time-course analysis demonstrated that the downmodulation of MEK1/2, ERK1 and ERK2 dual-phosphorylation was evident even after 3?h of treatment with 20 and 40?µM. The cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), an early sign of apoptosis, appeared after 18?h of PD98059 treatment at concentrations of 20 and 40?µM in eight of the 14 cases. After 24?h of treatment, cleaved PARP appeared in all 14 cases. Time-course analysis of cell cycle progression and apoptosis showed that PD98059 induced a G1-phase accumulation with low or undetectable levels of apoptosis after 24?h incubation; after 48 and 72?h incubation, a significant increase of apoptosis was observed. Thus, the primary effect of ERK downmodulation was a cell cycle arrest followed by the apoptosis of a significant percentage of the leukemic blasts.The preclinical model of leukemia treatment reported in this paper makes further comment with regard to MEK1 inhibition as a useful antileukemic target, and encourages the conducting of in vivo studies and clinical investigations.Leukemia (2003) 17, 1783-1793. doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2403032 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the possible alteration of miRNA levels due to the influence of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells on stromal cells. Findings reveal that all stromal cells showed very high levels of two particular miRNAs, while in CLL cells, they were barely noticeable. It also indicates the increased level of some miRNAs in CLL cell populations after an intentional contamination by stromal cells.

Multiple myeloma (MM) invariably develops in the bone marrow (BM), indicating the strong requirement of this tumor for the peculiar BM microenvironment, rich in cytokine and hematopoietic precursor cells. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and a proliferation inducing ligand (APRIL) are key cytokines implicated in MM development. Here, we show that MM cells changed the hematopoietic microenvironment early upon BM infiltration by strongly downregulating hematopoietic precursor cells from all lineages except myeloid precursor cells. Myeloid precursor cells constituted a major source of APRIL in MM-infiltrated BM, and their proliferative response to IL-6 upregulation explained their relative resistance to MM infiltration. The osteolytic molecule receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANK-L) expressed by MM cells started this myeloid proliferation by inducing in a contact-dependent manner IL-6 production by myeloid precursor cells themselves. Taken together, our data demonstrate that MM cells do not simply displace hematopoietic cells upon BM infiltration, but rather selectively modulate the BM microenvironment to preserve a pool of high APRIL-producing myeloid precursor cells. Our data also identify a positive regulation of APRIL by IL-6 in myeloid precursor cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a non-curable tumor developing in the bone marrow (BM). The BM microenvironment rich in hematopoietic precursors is suspected to have a role in MM development. Here we show that a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) mediated in vivo MM promotion. In MM-infiltrated BM, APRIL originated from differentiating myeloid cells with an expression peak in precursor cells. Notably, APRIL expression stayed stable in BM despite MM infiltration. The pool of APRIL-producing cells changed upon MM infiltration. Although CD16+ mature myeloid cells constituted about half of the APRIL-producing cells in healthy BM, CD16− Elastase+ myeloid precursor cells were predominant in MM-infiltrated BM. Myeloid precursor cells secreted all the APRIL they produced, and binding of secreted APRIL to MM cells, strictly dependent of heparan sulfate carried by CD138, resulted in an in situ internalization by tumor cells. This indicated APRIL consumption by MM in BM. Taken together, our data show that myelopoiesis dysregulation characterized by an increased proportion of precursor cells occurs in MM patients. Such dysregulation correlates with a stable expression of the MM-promoting factor APRIL in infiltrated BM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contribution of microRNAs to lymphoma biology is not fully understood. In particular, it remains untested whether microRNA dysregulation could contribute to the emergence of the aggressive subset of B-cell lymphomas that coexpress MYC and BCL2. Here, we identify microRNA-124 (miR-124) as a negative regulator of MYC and BCL2 expression in B-cell lymphomas. Concordantly, stable or transient ectopic expression of miR-124 suppressed cell proliferation and survival, whereas genetic inhibition of this miRNA enhanced the fitness of these tumors. Mechanistically, the activities of miR-124 towards MYC and BCL2 intersect with both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive pathways. In respect to the former, we show that miR-124 directly targets nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65, and using genetic approaches, we demonstrate that this interaction accounts for the miR-124-mediated suppression of MYC and BCL2. We also characterized miR-124 promoter region and identified a functional p53 binding site. In agreement with this finding, endogenous or ectopic expression of wild-type, but not mutant, p53 increased miR-124 levels and suppressed p65, MYC and BCL2. Our data unveil an miRNA-dependent regulatory circuitry that links p53 to the NF-κB pathway, which when disrupted in B-cell lymphoma may be associated with aberrant coexpression of MYC and BCL2 and poor prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The functional relevance of the B-cell receptor (BCR) and the evolution of protein kinases as therapeutic targets have recently shifted the paradigm for treatment of B-cell malignancies. Inhibition of p110δ with idelalisib has shown clinical activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The dynamic interplay of isoforms p110δ and p110γ in leukocytes support the hypothesis that dual blockade may provide a therapeutic benefit. IPI-145, an oral inhibitor of p110δ and p110γ isoforms, sensitizes BCR-stimulated and/or stromal co-cultured primary CLL cells to apoptosis (median 20%, n=57; P<0.0001) including samples with poor prognostic markers, unmutated IgVH (n=28) and prior treatment (n=15; P<0.0001). IPI-145 potently inhibits the CD40L/IL-2/IL-10 induced proliferation of CLL cells with an IC50 in sub-nanomolar range. A corresponding dose-responsive inhibition of pAKTSer473 is observed with an IC50 of 0.36 nM. IPI-145 diminishes the BCR-induced chemokines CCL3 and CCL4 secretion to 17% and 37%, respectively. Pre-treatment with 1 μM IPI-145 inhibits the chemotaxis toward CXCL12; reduces pseudoemperipolesis to median 50%, inferring its ability to interfere with homing capabilities of CLL cells. BCR-activated signaling proteins AKTSer473, BADSer112, ERKThr202/Tyr204 and S6Ser235/236 are mitigated by IPI-145. Importantly, for clinical development in hematological malignancies, IPI-145 is selective to CLL B cells, sparing normal B- and T-lymphocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bridging integrator 1 (BIN1) tumor suppressor encodes multiple alternatively spliced isoforms implicated in DNA repair, cell-cycle control, apoptosis and membrane dynamics. BIN1 attenuation has been reported in several solid tumors; however, the role of BIN1 in lymphomagenesis remains unexplored. We recently demonstrated that BIN1 transcript levels are significantly downregulated in CD4+CD7− Sezary cells from patients with Sezary syndrome (SS), a subtype of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). We have now demonstrated that restored BIN1 expression in CTCL cells leads to a significant reduction in cell proliferation, an increase in spontaneous and Fas/Fas ligand (Fas/FasL)-induced apoptosis in vitro and inhibition of tumorigenic activity of CTCL cells in vivo. Interestingly, restoration of BIN1 expression in CTCL cells downregulates the expression of c-FLIP, an important inhibitor of Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis, and activates the caspase cascade; these phenotypes can be rescued by knockdown of BIN1. Importantly, significantly reduced BIN1 expression and increased c-FLIP expression are observed in primary CTCL patient samples, and high BIN1 and low c-FLIP mRNA levels correlate with better survival rate in SS patients. These results indicate that BIN1 regulates Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis through c-FLIP and that BIN1 deficiency may have an important role in CTCL pathogenesis by causing apoptosis resistance. Thus BIN1 and c-FLIP represent potential therapeutic targets in CTCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukin (IL)-31A binds to an heterodimer composed of IL-31 receptor A (IL-31RA) and Oncostatin M Receptor (OSMR). The IL-31/IL-31R complex is involved in the pathogenesis of various skin diseases, including cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. No information is available on the relations between the IL-31/IL-31R complex and B-cell lymphoma. Here we have addressed this issue in follicular lymphoma (FL), a prototypic germinal center(GC)-derived B-cell malignancy. IL-31 enhanced primary FL cell proliferation through IL-31R-driven signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 1/3 (STAT1/3), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and Akt phosphorylation. In contrast, GC B cells did not signal to IL-31 in spite of IL-31R expression. GC B cells expressed predominantly the inhibitory short IL-31RA isoform, whereas FL cells expressed predominantly the long signaling isoform. Moreover, GC B cells lacked expression of other IL-31RA isoforms potentially involved in the signaling pathway. IL-31 protein expression was significantly higher in surface membrane than in cytosol of both FL and GC B cells. IL-31 was detected in plasma membrane microvesicles from both cell types but not released in soluble form in culture supernatants. IL-31 and IL-31RA expression was higher in lymph nodes from FL patients with grade IIIa compared with grade I/II, suggesting a paracrine and/or autocrine role of IL-31/IL-31RA complex in tumor progression through microvesicle shedding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) possess broad immunomodulatory capacities that are currently investigated for potential clinical application in treating autoimmune disorders. Third-party MSCs suppress alloantigen-induced proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells providing the rationale for clinical use in graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). We confirmed that MSCs strongly inhibited proliferation of CD8+ T cells in a mixed lymphocyte reaction. However, MSCs also suppressed proliferation of T cells specifically recognizing cytomegalovirus (CMV) and influenza virus. Inhibition was dose dependent, but independent of the culture medium. MSCs inhibited proliferation of specific CD8+ T cells and the release of IFN-γ by specific CD8+ T cells for immunodominant HLA-A2- and HLA-B7- restricted antigen epitopes derived from CMV phosphoprotein 65 and influenza matrix protein. This is in contrast to a recently reported scenario where MSCs exert differential effects on alloantigen and virus-specific T cells potentially having an impact on surveillance and prophylaxis of patients treated by MSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the leukemia-propagating cells in Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The cells are found to have the ability to initiate human leukemia in immune-deficient mice. The phenotype of leukemia-propagating cells is considered as an independent risk factor with the likelihood of achieving complete remission in multivariate analysis. Leukemia-propagating cell are found to initiate self-renewal.

In order to explore the mechanism(s) underlying the pro-tumorigenic capacity of heparanase, we established an inducible Tet-on system. Heparanase expression was markedly increased following addition of doxycycline (Dox) to the culture medium of CAG human myeloma cells infected with the inducible heparanase gene construct, resulting in increased colony number and size in soft agar. Moreover, tumor xenografts produced by CAG-heparanase cells were markedly increased in mice supplemented with Dox in their drinking water compared with control mice maintained without Dox. Consistently, we found that heparanase induction is associated with decreased levels of CXCL10, suggesting that this chemokine exerts tumor-suppressor properties in myeloma. Indeed, recombinant CXCL10 attenuated the proliferation of CAG, U266 and RPMI-8266 myeloma cells. Similarly, CXCL10 attenuated the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, implying that CXCL10 exhibits anti-angiogenic capacity. Strikingly, development of tumor xenografts produced by CAG-heparanase cells overexpressing CXCL10 was markedly reduced compared with control cells. Moreover, tumor growth was significantly attenuated in mice inoculated with human or mouse myeloma cells and treated with CXCL10-Ig fusion protein, indicating that CXCL10 functions as a potent anti-myeloma cytokine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas not otherwise specified (PTCL/NOS) are very aggressive tumors characterized by consistent aberrant expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA). In this study, we aimed to identify the determinants of PDGFRA activity in PTCL/NOS and to elucidate the biological consequences of its activation. We observed overexpression of the PDGFRA gene by gene expression profiling in most of the tested PTCLs and confirmed the expression of PDGFRA and phospho-PDGFRA using immunohistochemistry. The integrity of the PDFGRA locus was demonstrated using several different approaches, including massive parallel sequencing and Sanger sequencing. PDGF-AA was found to be expressed and secreted by PTCL/NOS cells and to be necessary and sufficient for PDGFRA phosphorylation ex vivo by sustaining an autocrine stimulation. We documented consistently high PDGF-A expression in primary biopsies and patients' plasma and tracked PDGFRA signaling in primary tumors, achieving evidence of its activation. Indeed, we found that STAT1 and STAT5 are implicated in PDGFRA signaling transduction. Finally, we demonstrated that PDGFRA activation supported tumor cell proliferation and provided the first evidence of the anti-lymphoma activity of PDGRA inhibition in a PTCL/NOS patient. Altogether, our data demonstrated that PDGFRA activity fosters PTCL/NOS proliferation via an autocrine loop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the nature of persistent polyclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (PPBL), a rare disease associated with smoking and mostly affects middle-aged women. It states that PPBL is characterized by persistent expansion of CD2+IgM+IgD+B cells, the increase IgM serum levels and the presence of circulating binucleated lymphocytes. It notes the extensive proliferation of such cells in PPBL. It also emphasizes the difference pathophysiology of the PPBL with mature B-cell malignancies.

Transient leukemia (TL) is evident in 5-10% of all neonates with Down syndrome (DS) and associated with N-terminal truncating GATA1 mutations (GATA1s). Here we report that TL-cell clones generate abundant eosinophils in a substantial fraction of patients. Sorted eosinophils from patients with TL and eosinophilia carried the same GATA1s mutations as sorted TL blasts, consistent with their clonal origin. TL blasts exhibited a genetic program characteristic of eosinophils and differentiated along the eosinophil lineage in vitro. Similarly, ectopic expression of Gata1s, but not Gata1, in wild-type CD34+-hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells induced hyperproliferation of eosinophil promyelocytes in vitro. Although GATA1s retained the function of GATA1 to induce eosinophil genes by occupying their promoter regions, GATA1s was impaired in its ability to repress oncogenic MYC and the pro-proliferative E2F transcription network. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Sequencing (ChIP-seq) indicated reduced GATA1s occupancy at the MYC promoter. Knockdown of MYC, or the obligate E2F-cooperation partner DP1, rescued the GATA1s-induced hyperproliferative phenotype. In agreement, terminal eosinophil maturation was blocked in Gata1Δe2 knockin mice, exclusively expressing Gata1s, leading to accumulation of eosinophil precursors in blood and bone marrow. These data suggest a direct relationship between the N-terminal truncating mutations of GATA1 and clonal eosinophilia in DS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which evaluates the effects of Selinexor on leukemic cell proliferation in vivo and migration in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells using transgenic animals. It cites the mechanisms that control CLL cell survival and expansion which have prompted the rapid development of therapeutics that disrupt CLL-microenvironment interactions. It reveals that XPO1 inhibition prevents B-cell receptor (BCR)-induced survival to the protective stromal microenvironment.

The article presents a study on the role of WTAP as a high conserved protein in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) that partners with Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) gene to function as a switch gene to regulate the balance between quiescence and proliferation. It notes the above normal levels of WTAP expression in bulk AML cells compared with normal bone marrow CD34 cells based on the results of a series of experiments. It concludes that WTAP has the potential to act as a novel therapeutic target in AML.

A letter to the editor is presented regarding proliferation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells via KCa3.1 blockade.

A letter to the editor is presented regarding a study of the synergistic enhancement of K562 leukemia cell proliferation by imatinib in combination with a small molecule Grb2 SH2 domain binding antagonist, focusing on its association with ell cycle arrest, and induction of apoptosis.

Bruton agammaglobulinemia tyrosine kinase (BTK), a cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinase, is a component of the B-cell receptor signaling pathway. Ibrutinib, a BTK inhibitor, has demonstrated a significant clinical activity against chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in early clinical trials. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of action would shed light on CLL pathophysiology and provide additional opportunities for the development of new therapies. In this study, we have chosen an in vivo approach by employing an ongoing phase 1b trial of ibrutinib. We prospectively collected and analyzed serial samples from the CLL patients before and after the initiation of ibrutinib. We found that the blockage of cell proliferation was one of the primary effects of ibrutinib against leukemic CLL cells in vivo. Using a co-culture system that induces CLL proliferation in vitro, analysis of several parameters, including Ki-67 expression and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation, revealed that the proliferation of CLL cells was directly inhibited by ibrutinib. Furthermore, activities of BTK and phospholipase Cγ2 as well as downstream signaling molecules, AKT and ERK, were all coordinately downregulated over time in ibrutinib-treated patients. Our findings suggest that the cell proliferation is one of the essential properties of CLL. Blocking cell proliferation via inhibition of BTK-mediated signaling may contribute to clinical responses in ibrutinib-treated patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 is a commonly mutated gene in acute myeloid leukemia, with about one-third of patients carrying an internal-tandem duplication of the juxtamembrane domain in the receptor (FLT3-ITD). FLT3-ITD exhibits altered signaling quality, including aberrant activation of STAT5. To identify genes affecting FLT3-ITD-mediated STAT5 signaling, we performed an esiRNA-based RNAi screen utilizing a STAT5-driven reporter assay. Knockdowns that caused reduced FLT3-ITD-mediated STAT5 signaling were enriched for genes encoding proteins involved in protein secretion and intracellular protein transport, indicating that modulation of protein transport processes could potentially be used to reduce constitutive STAT5 signaling in FLT3-ITD-positive cells. The relevance of KDELR1, a component involved in the Golgi-ER retrograde transport, was further analyzed. In FLT3-ITD-expressing leukemic MV4-11 cells, downregulation of KDELR1 resulted in reduced STAT5 activation, proliferation and colony-forming capacity. Stable shRNA-mediated depletion of KDELR1 in FLT3-ITD-expressing 32D cells likewise resulted in reduced STAT5 signaling and cell proliferation. Importantly, these cells also showed a reduced capacity to generate a leukemia-like disease in syngeneic C3H/HeJ mice. Together our data suggest intracellular protein transport as a potential target for FLT3-ITD driven leukemias, with KDELR1 emerging as a positive modulator of oncogenic FLT3-ITD activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous reports demonstrate that metformin, an anti-diabetic drug, can decrease the risk of cancer and inhibit cancer cell growth. However, its mechanism in cancer cells is still unknown. Metformin significantly blocks cell cycle and inhibits cell proliferation and colony formation of leukemic cells. However, the apoptotic response to metformin varies. Furthermore, daily treatment with metformin induces apoptosis and reduces tumor growth in vivo. While metformin induces early and transient activation of AMPK, inhibition of AMPKα1/2 does not abrogate anti-proliferative or pro-apoptotic effects of metformin. Metformin decreases electron transport chain complex I activity, oxygen consumption and mitochondrial ATP synthesis, while stimulating glycolysis for ATP and lactate production, pentose phosphate pathway for purine biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolism, as well as anaplerotic and mitochondrial gene expression. Importantly, leukemic cells with high basal AKT phosphorylation, glucose consumption or glycolysis exhibit a markedly reduced induction of the Pasteur effect in response to metformin and are resistant to metformin-induced apoptosis. Accordingly, glucose starvation or treatment with deoxyglucose or an AKT inhibitor induces sensitivity to metformin. Overall, metformin elicits reprogramming of intermediary metabolism leading to inhibition of cell proliferation in all leukemic cells and apoptosis only in leukemic cells responding to metformin with AKT phosphorylation and a strong Pasteur effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which shows tha SF3B1 mutations are more prevalent in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). It found many single cells exhibited either wild type plus mutant SF3B1sequences. It suggests that the association of mutant SF3B1 with CCL progression may confer a faster rate of leukemia cell proliferation.

Hypoxia-inducible transcription factor-1 (HIF-1α) is overexpressed in multiple myeloma (MM) cells within the hypoxic microenvironment. Herein, we explored the effect of persistent HIF-1α inhibition by a lentivirus short hairpin RNA pool on MM cell growth either in vitro or in vivo and on the transcriptional and pro-angiogenic profiles of MM cells. HIF-1α suppression did not have a significant impact on MM cell proliferation and survival in vitro although, increased the antiproliferative effect of lenalidomide. On the other hand, we found that HIF-1α inhibition in MM cells downregulates the pro-angiogenic genes VEGF, IL8, IL10, CCL2, CCL5 and MMP9. Pro-osteoclastogenic cytokines were also inhibited, such as IL-7 and CCL3/MIP-1α. The effect of HIF-1α inhibition was assessed in vivo in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency mice both in a subcutaneous and an intratibial MM model. HIF-1α inhibition caused a dramatic reduction in the weight and volume of the tumor burden in both mouse models. Moreover, a significant reduction of the number of vessels and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) immunostaining was observed. Finally, in the intratibial experiments, HIF-1α inhibition significantly blocked bone destruction. Overall, our data indicate that HIF-1α suppression in MM cells significantly blocks MM-induced angiogenesis and reduces MM tumor burden and bone destruction in vivo, supporting HIF-1α as a potential therapeutic target in MM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The BCR-ABL fusion transcript encodes the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase (TK), which causes chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Although the TK inhibitor imatinib mesylate, which targets the BCR-ABL protein, has been proven to be effective in controlling leukemic growth, imatinib resistance has been observed with disease relapse because of point mutations in the ABL gene that inhibit imatinib efficacy. In this study, we designed oligodeoxyribozymes (DNAzymes) that specifically target and cleave both the junction sequence and the site of the point mutation (T315I), conferring imatinib resistance in BCR-ABL mRNA. DNAzymes significantly induced apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in wild-type and T315I-mutant BCR-ABL-positive cells. Selective cleavage of T315I-mutant ABL mRNA by DNAzyme (T315I Dz) led to cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase, with induction of caspase-3/-7 in imatinib-resistant BCR-ABL-positive cells harboring the T315I mutation. Moreover, cotreatment with the DNAzyme targeting the T315I mutation and imatinib resulted in enhanced inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis in T315I leukemic cells as compared with imatinib alone, thereby antagonizing imatinib resistance in CML cells bearing T315I-mutant BCR-ABL. Therefore, cleavage of T315I-mutant ABL mRNA by DNAzyme combined with imatinib treatment may be an alternative approach to overcoming imatinib resistance in leukemic cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines whether fostamatinib inhibits B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling, activates cells in vivo, and disrupts cell proliferation in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Findings reveal the capacity of fostamatinib to inhibit BCR signal transduction and activate CLL cells in vivo. Furthermore, it shows that the kinase inhibitor displays proliferation of tumor cell population.

Activating mutations in the receptor tyrosine kinase KIT, most notably KIT D816V, are commonly observed in patients with systemic mastocytosis. Thus, inhibition of KIT has been a major focus for treatment of this disorder. Here we investigated a novel approach to such inhibition. Utilizing rational drug design, we targeted the switch pocket (SP) of KIT, which regulates its catalytic conformation. Two SP inhibitors thus identified, DP-2976 and DP-4851, were examined for effects on neoplastic mast cell proliferation and mast cell activation. Autophosphorylation of both wild-type and, where also examined, KIT D816V activation was blocked by these compounds in transfected 293T cells, HMC 1.1 and 1.2 human mast cell lines, and in CD34+-derived human mast cells activated by stem cell factor (SCF). Both inhibitors induced apoptosis in the neoplastic mast cell lines and reduced survival of primary bone marrow mast cells from patients with mastocytosis. Moreover, the SP inhibitors more selectively blocked SCF potentiation of FcɛRI-mediated degranulation. Overall, SP inhibitors represent an innovative mechanism of KIT inhibition whose dual suppression of KIT D816V neoplastic mast cell proliferation and SCF-enhanced mast cell activation may provide significant therapeutic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internal tandem duplications (ITDs) in the fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor (FLT3-ITDs) confer a poor prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We hypothesized that increased recruitment of the protein tyrosine phosphatase, Shp2, to FLT3-ITDs contributes to FLT3 ligand (FL)-independent hyperproliferation and STAT5 activation. Co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated constitutive association of Shp2 with the FLT3-ITD, N51-FLT3, as well as with STAT5. Knockdown of Shp2 in Baf3/N51-FLT3 cells significantly reduced proliferation while having little effect on WT-FLT3-expressing cells. Consistently, mutation of N51-FLT3 tyrosine 599 to phenylalanine or genetic disruption of Shp2 in N51-FLT3-expressing bone marrow low-density mononuclear cells reduced proliferation and STAT5 activation. In transplants, genetic disruption of Shp2 in vivo yielded increased latency to and reduced severity of FLT3-ITD-induced malignancy. Mechanistically, Shp2 co-localizes with nuclear phospho-STAT5, is present at functional interferon-γ activation sites (GAS) within the BCL2L1 promoter, and positively activates the human BCL2L1 promoter, suggesting that Shp2 works with STAT5 to promote pro-leukemogenic gene expression. Further, using a small molecule Shp2 inhibitor, the proliferation of N51-FLT3-expressing bone marrow progenitors and primary AML samples was reduced in a dose-dependent manner. These findings demonstrate that Shp2 positively contributes to FLT3-ITD-induced leukemia and suggest that Shp2 inhibition may provide a novel therapeutic approach to AML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the influence of multiple myeloma (MM) in myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the bone marrow. The study, using mice models, used several methods including fluorescence-activated cell sorting, T-cell proliferation assay and immunosuppressive capacity analysis. It concludes that the immunosuppressive MDSCs can be found and are active in MM.

The in vitro effects of the synthetic retinoid N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4HPR, fenretinide) on primary B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells from previously untreated CLL patients were investigated. 4HPR promoted the intrinsic apoptotic pathway by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and was accompanied by drop of Mcl-1 protein expression. The latter was not attributable to transcriptional downregulation but to protein degradation mediated by jun N-terminal kinase activation, and likely by NF-kB downregulation and Noxa upregulation. CLL cells stimulated in vitro with CD40L did not increase 4HPR chemoresistance if activation was accompanied by proliferation. Intra-patient analysis confirmed that the proliferating pool of CLL cells was more sensitive to the cytotoxic action of 4HPR than the activated but resting CLL subpopulation. The different 4HPR susceptibility of the two subpopulations was associated with higher Noxa expression in proliferating CLLs. Combination experiments revealed that 4HPR strongly potentiated ABT-737 cytotoxicity, especially in proliferating CLL cells that displayed amplified chemoresistance to ABT-737 alone. Synergic cytotoxicity was also demonstrated in combination with fludarabine, in both resting and stimulated CLL samples. This study entitles 4HPR to be assayed as a chemotherapeutic adjuvant for the treatment of CLL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple myeloma (MM) is preceded by the asymptomatic pre-malignant state, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Although MGUS patients may remain stable for years, they are at increased risk of progressing to MM. A better understanding of the relevant molecular changes underlying the transition from an asymptomatic to symptomatic disease state is urgently needed. Our studies show for the first time that the CD147 molecule (extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer) may be having an important biological role in MM. We first demonstrate that CD147 is overexpressed in MM plasma cells (PCs) vs normal and pre-malignant PCs. Next, functional studies revealed that the natural CD147 ligand, cyclophilin B, stimulates MM cell growth. Moreover, when MM patient PCs displaying bimodal CD147 expression were separated into CD147bright and CD147dim populations and analyzed for proliferation potential, we discovered that CD147bright PCs displayed significantly higher levels of cell proliferation than did CD147dim PCs. Lastly, CD147-silencing significantly attenuated MM cell proliferation. Taken together, these data suggest that the CD147 molecule has a key role in MM cell proliferation and may serve as an attractive target for reducing the proliferative compartment of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lysine (K)-specific demethylase 1A (LSD1/KDM1A) has been identified as a potential therapeutic target in solid cancers and more recently in acute myeloid leukemia. However, the potential side effects of a LSD1-inhibitory therapy remain elusive. Here, we show, with a newly established conditional in vivo knockdown model, that LSD1 represents a central regulator of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. LSD1 knockdown (LSD1-kd) expanded progenitor numbers by enhancing their proliferative behavior. LSD1-kd led to an extensive expansion of granulomonocytic, erythroid and megakaryocytic progenitors. In contrast, terminal granulopoiesis, erythropoiesis and platelet production were severely inhibited. The only exception was monopoiesis, which was promoted by LSD1 deficiency. Importantly, we showed that peripheral blood granulocytopenia, monocytosis, anemia and thrombocytopenia were reversible after LSD1-kd termination. Extramedullary splenic hematopoiesis contributed to the phenotypic reversion, and progenitor populations remained expanded. LSD1-kd was associated with the upregulation of key hematopoietic genes, including Gfi1b, Hoxa9 and Meis1, which are known regulators of the HSC/progenitor compartment. We also demonstrated that LSD1-kd abrogated Gfi1b-negative autoregulation by crossing LSD1-kd with Gfi1b:GFP mice. Taken together, our findings distinguish LSD1 as a critical regulator of hematopoiesis and point to severe, but reversible, side effects of a LSD1-targeted therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RAF kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) is a negative regulator of the RAS-mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling cascade. We investigated its role in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive malignancy arising from hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Western blot analysis revealed loss of RKIP expression in 19/103 (18%) primary AML samples and 4/17 (24%) AML cell lines but not in 10 CD34+ HSPC specimens. In in-vitro experiments with myeloid cell lines, RKIP overexpression inhibited cellular proliferation and colony formation in soft agar. Analysis of two cohorts with 103 and 285 AML patients, respectively, established a correlation of decreased RKIP expression with monocytic phenotypes. RKIP loss was associated with RAS mutations and in transformation assays, RKIP decreased the oncogenic potential of mutant RAS. Loss of RKIP further related to a significantly longer relapse-free survival and overall survival in uni- and multivariate analyses. Our data show that RKIP is frequently lost in AML and correlates with monocytic phenotypes and mutations in RAS. RKIP inhibits proliferation and transformation of myeloid cells and decreases transformation induced by mutant RAS. Finally, loss of RKIP seems to be a favorable prognostic parameter in patients with AML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was the appraisal of the clinical and functional consequences of germline mutations within the gene for the IL-2 inducible T-cell kinase, ITK. Among patients with Epstein-Barr virus-driven lymphoproliferative disorders (EBV-LPD), negative for mutations in SH2D1A and XIAP (n=46), we identified two patients with R29H or D500T,F501L,M503X mutations, respectively. Human wild-type (wt) ITK, but none of the mutants, was able to rescue defective calcium flux in murine Itk−/− T cells. Pulse-chase experiments showed that ITK mutations lead to varying reductions of protein half-life from 25 to 69% as compared with wt ITK (107 min). The pleckstrin homology domain of wt ITK binds most prominently to phosphatidylinositol monophosphates (PI(3)P, PI(4)P, PI(5)P) and to lesser extend to its double or triple phosphorylated derivates (PIP2, PIP3), interactions which were dramatically reduced in the patient with the ITKR29H mutant. ITK mutations are distributed over the entire protein and include missense, nonsense and indel mutations, reminiscent of the situation in its sister kinase in B cells, Bruton's tyrosine kinase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphoinositide-phospholipase C (PI-PLC) beta1 can be considered a specific target for demethylating therapy in high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients, as azacitidine treatment has been associated with a PI-PLCbeta1-specific promoter demethylation, and induction of PI-PLCbeta1 gene and protein expression. However, little is known about the molecular effect of azacitidine in low-risk MDS or the functional mechanisms linked with azacitidine effect on PI-PLCbeta1 promoter. In the present study, we further investigated the role of epigenetic regulation of PI-PLCbeta1, mainly focusing on the structure of the PI-PLCbeta1 promoter. We first examined the effect of azacitidine on PI-PLCbeta1 promoter methylation and gene expression in low-risk MDS. Moreover, we studied the expression of key molecules associated with the nuclear inositide signaling pathways, such as cyclin D3. By applying a chromatin immunoprecipitation method, we also studied the correlation between the demethylating effect of azacitidine and the degree of recruitment to PI-PLCbeta1 promoter of some transcription factors implicated in hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as of the methyl-CpG-binding domain proteins, which specifically interact with methylated DNA. Taken together, our results hint at a specific involvement of PI-PLCbeta1 in epigenetic mechanisms, and are particularly consistent with the hypothesis of a role for PI-PLCbeta1 in azacitidine-induced myeloid differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulating evidences indicate that the cellular and molecular microenvironment of follicular lymphoma (FL) has a key role in both lymphomagenesis and patient outcome. Malignant FL B cells are found admixed to specific stromal and immune cell subsets, in particular CD4pos T cells displaying phenotypic features of follicular helper T cells (TFH). The goal of our study was to functionally characterize intratumoral CD4pos T cells. We showed that CXCR5hiICOShiCD4pos T cells sorted from FL biopsies comprise at least two separate cell populations with distinct genetic and functional features: (i) CD25pos follicular regulatory T cells (TFR), and (ii) CD25neg TFH displaying a FL-B cell supportive activity without regulatory functions. Furthermore, despite their strong similarities with tonsil-derived TFH, purified FL-derived TFH displayed a specific gene expression profile including an overexpression of several genes potentially involved directly or indirectly in lymphomagenesis, in particular TNF, LTA, IL4 or CD40LG. Interestingly, we further demonstrated that these two last signals efficiently rescued malignant B cells from spontaneous and rituximab-induced apoptosis. Altogether, our study demonstrates that tumor-infiltrating CD4pos T cells are more heterogeneous than previously presumed, and underlines for the first time the crucial role of TFH in the complex set of cellular interactions within FL microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) blasts with bone marrow (BM) stromal cells (BMSCs) has a positive impact on ALL resistance to chemotherapy. We investigated the modulation of a series of putative asparaginase-resistance/sensitivity genes in B-precursor ALL cells upon coculture with BMSCs. Coculture with stromal cells resulted in increased insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) expression by ALL cells. Assays with IGFBP7 knockdown ALL and stromal cell lines, or with addition of recombinant rIGFBP7 (rIGFBP7) to the culture medium, showed that IGFBP7 acts as a positive regulator of ALL and stromal cells growth, and significantly enhances in-vitro resistance of ALL to asparaginase. In these assays, IGFBP7 function occurred mainly in an insulin- and stromal-dependent manner. ALL cells were found to contribute substantially to extracellular IGFBP7 levels in the conditioned coculture medium. Diagnostic BM plasma from children with ALL had higher levels of IGFBP7 than controls. IGFBP7, in an insulin/IGF-dependent manner, enhanced asparagine synthetase expression and asparagine secretion by BMSCs, thus providing a stromal-dependent mechanism by which IGFBP7 protects ALL cells against asparaginase in this coculture system. Importantly, higher IGFBP7 mRNA levels were associated with lower leukemia-free survival (Cox regression model, P=0.003) in precursor B-cell Ph(−) ALL patients (n=147) treated with a contemporary polychemotherapy protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major pathogenetic mechanism in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is constitutive activation of canonical nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p50/p65 signaling, controlling lymphoma cell proliferation and survival. Recently, we demonstrated that aberrant Notch1 activity is a negative regulator of the B cell program in B cell-derived Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells. Despite abundant evidence for a complex context-dependent cross talk between Notch and NF-κB signaling in hematopoietic cells, it is unknown whether these pathways interact in HRS cells. Here, we show that Notch-signaling inhibition in HRS cells by the γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI) XII results in decreased alternative p52/RelB NF-κB signaling, interfering with processing of the NF-κB2 gene product p100 into its active form p52. As a result, expression of Notch and NF-κB target genes is reduced, and survival of HRS cells is impaired. Stimulation of alternative NF-κB signaling in the Hodgkin cell line L540cy by activation of the CD30 receptor rescued GSI-mediated loss of cell viability and apoptosis induction. Our data reveal that Notch is an essential upstream regulator of alternative NF-κB signaling and indicate cross talk between both the pathways in HRS cells. Therefore, we suggest that targeting the Notch pathway is a promising therapeutic option in cHL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Comparison of childhood leukemia initiating cell populations in NOD/SCID and NSG mice," published in the August 23, 2011 issue is presented.

Activation of the fibrinolytic system during lymphoma progression is a well-documented clinical phenomenon. But the mechanism by which the fibrinolytic system can modulate lymphoma progression has been elusive. The main fibrinolytic enzyme, plasminogen (Plg)/plasmin (Plm), can activate matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), such as MMP-9, which has been linked to various malignancies. Here we provide the evidence that blockade of Plg reduces T-cell lymphoma growth by inhibiting MMP-9-dependent recruitment of CD11b+F4/80+ myeloid cells locally within the lymphoma tissue. Genetic Plg deficiency and drug-mediated Plm blockade delayed T-cell lymphoma growth and diminished MMP-9-dependent CD11b+F4/80+ myeloid cell infiltration into lymphoma tissues. A neutralizing antibody against CD11b inhibited T-cell lymphoma growth in vivo, which indicates that CD11b+ myeloid cells have a role in T-cell lymphoma growth. Plg deficiency in T-cell lymphoma-bearing mice resulted in reduced plasma levels of the growth factors vascular endothelial growth-A and Kit ligand, both of which are known to enhance myeloid cell proliferation. Collectively, the data presented in this study demonstrate a previously undescribed role of Plm in lymphoproliferative disorders and provide strong evidence that specific blockade of Plg represents a promising approach for the regulation of T-cell lymphoma growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In wild-type mice, T-cell receptor (TCR) γδ+ cells differentiate along a CD4 CD8 double-negative (DN) pathway whereas TCRαβ+ cells differentiate along the double-positive (DP) pathway. In the human postnatal thymus (PNT), DN, DP and single-positive (SP) TCRγδ+ populations are present. Here, the precursor-progeny relationship of the various PNT TCRγδ+ populations was studied and the role of the DP TCRγδ+ population during T-cell differentiation was elucidated. We demonstrate that human TCRγδ+ cells differentiate along two pathways downstream from an immature CD1+ DN TCRγδ+ precursor: a Notch-independent DN pathway generating mature DN and CD8αα SP TCRγδ+ cells, and a Notch-dependent, highly proliferative DP pathway generating immature CD4 SP and subsequently DP TCRγδ+ populations. DP TCRγδ+ cells are actively rearranging the TCRα locus, and differentiate to TCR− DP cells, to CD8αβ SP TCRγδ+ cells and to TCRαβ+ cells. Finally, we show that the γδ subset of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (T-ALL) consists mainly of CD4 SP or DP phenotypes carrying significantly more activating Notch mutations than DN T-ALL. The latter suggests that activating Notch mutations in TCRγδ+ thymocytes induce proliferation and differentiation along the DP pathway in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukin-15 (IL-15) has been extensively studied for its role in the survival and proliferation of NK and T cells through a unique mechanism of trans-presentation by producer cells. Conversely, whereas activated B cells have been described as IL-15-responding cells, the cellular and molecular context sustaining this effect remains unexplored. In this study, we found that, whereas human B cells could not respond to soluble IL-15, monocytes and lymphoid tissue-derived macrophages but not stromal cells efficiently trans-present IL-15 to normal B cells and cooperate with T-cell-derived CD40L to promote IL-15-dependent B-cell proliferation. Furthermore, CD40L signaling triggers a Src-independent upregulation of STAT5 expression and favors a Src-dependent phosphorylation of STAT5 in response to IL-15. In follicular lymphoma (FL), immunohistochemical studies reported a strong relationship between malignant B cells, infiltrating macrophages and T cells. We show here an overexpression of IL-15 in purified tumor-associated macrophages, and STAT5A in purified tumor B cells. Moreover, FL B cells respond to IL-15 trans-presented by monocytes/macrophages, in particular, in the presence of CD40L-mediated signaling. This cooperation between IL-15 and CD40L reinforces the importance of tumor microenvironment and unravels a mechanism of FL growth that should be considered if using IL-15 as a drug in this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regulation of protein kinase B (AKT) is a dynamic process that depends on the balance between phosphorylation by upstream kinases for activation and inactivation by dephosphorylation by protein phosphatases. Phosphorylated AKT is commonly found in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and confers an unfavorable prognosis. Understanding the relative importance of upstream kinases and AKT phosphatase in the activation of AKT is relevant for the therapeutic targeting of this signaling axis in AML. The B55α subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) has been implicated in AKT dephosphorylation, but its role in regulating AKT in AML is unknown. We examined B55α protein expression in blast cells derived from 511 AML patients using reverse phase protein analysis. B55α protein expression was lower in AML cells compared with normal CD34+ cells. B55α protein levels negatively correlated with threonine 308 phosphorylation levels. Low levels of B55α were associated with shorter complete remission duration, demonstrating that decreased expression is an adverse prognostic factor in AML. These findings suggest that decreased B55α expression in AML is at least partially responsible for increased AKT signaling in AML and suggests that therapeutic targeting of PP2A could counteract this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells require complex microenvironmental and immunologic interactions to survive and proliferate. Such interactions might be best recreated in animal models; however, this needs extensive verification. We therefore investigated the composition of the T-cell compartment in the Eμ-TCL1 transgenic mouse, currently the most widely used murine model for CLL. Immunophenotyping and transplant approaches were used to define T-cell subsets at various stages of CLL. Analogous to human CLL, we observed a skewing of T-cell subsets from naive to antigen-experienced memory T cells that was more pronounced in lymph nodes than in blood. Transplantation of CLL into non-transgenic recipients was feasible without immunosuppression in a pure C57BL/6 background and resulted in the prominent skewing of the T cells of the recipient mice. Both in spontaneously developed CLL and in the transplantation setting, a loss in T-cell receptor diversity was observed, with a relevant number of clonal T-cell populations arising. This suggests that antigen-dependent differentiation toward the T memory pool is initiated by murine CLL cells. In summary, we validate the TCL1 transgenic mouse model for analysis of T-cell phenotypes and suggest a CLL-dependent antigen-driven skewing of T cells in these mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estrogen receptor β (ERβ) is expressed in immune cells and studies have suggested an antiproliferative function of ERβ. We detected ERβ expression in murine T- and human B-cell lymphoma cell lines and analyzed the effects of estradiol and selective ERβ agonists on lymphoma growth in culture and in vivo. Treating the cells with estradiol had minor effects on cell growth, whereas the selective ERβ agonists diarylpropionitrile (DPN) and KB9520 showed a strong antiproliferative effect. When grafting mice with murine T-cell lymphoma cells, male mice developed larger tumors compared with female mice, a difference that was abolished following ovariectomy, showing estrogen-dependent growth in vivo. To investigate whether lymphoma growth may be inhibited in vivo by ERβ agonist treatment, mice grafted with murine lymphoma cells were treated with DPN or KB9520. Both ERβ-selective agonists strongly inhibited lymphoma growth. The reduced tumor size seen following either DPN or KB9520 treatment was due to reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis. Our results show an ERβ ligand-dependent antiproliferative effect of lymphoma cells expressing endogenous ERβ and that lymphoma cell growth in vivo can efficiently be inhibited by ERβ agonists. This suggests that ERβ agonists may be useful in the treatment of lymphomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Events mediating transformation from the pre-malignant monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) to multiple myeloma (MM) are unknown. We analyzed gene expression data sets generated on the Affymetrix U133 platform from 22 MGUS and 101 MM patients using gene-set enrichment analysis. Genes overexpressed in MM were enriched for cell cycle, proliferation and MYC activation gene sets. Upon dissecting the relationship between MYC and cell-cycle gene sets, we identified and validated an MYC activation signature dissociated from proliferation. Applying this signature, MYC is activated in 67% of myeloma, but not in MGUS. This was further confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using membrane CD138 and nuclear MYC double staining. We also showed that almost all tumors with RAS mutations expressed the MYC activation signature, and multiple mechanisms may be involved in activating MYC. MYC activation, whether assessed by gene-expression signature or IHC, is associated with hyperdiploid MM and shorter survival even in tumors that are not proliferative. Bortezomib treatment is able to overcome the survival disadvantage in patients with MYC activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a genetically heterogeneous disease with several oncogenic events implicated in the transformation of normal developing B lymphocytes. The objective of this study was to elucidate the signal transduction-based antitumor mechanism(s) of action for the anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody dacetuzumab (SGN-40) in NHL. We report that dacetuzumab activates two distinct proapoptotic signaling pathways, overcoming transformation events key to the pathogenesis of NHL. Dacetuzumab-mediated CD40 signaling constitutively activated the nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways producing the sustained downregulation of B-cell lymphoma 6 (BCL-6), an oncoprotein implicated in lymphomagenesis. Loss of BCL-6 resulted in c-Myc downregulation and activation of a transcriptional program characteristic of early B-cell maturation, concomitant with reduced proliferation and cell death. In a second mechanism, dacetuzumab signaling induced the expression of the proapoptotic p53 family member TAp63α and downstream proteins associated with the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic machinery. Dacetuzumab was synergistic in combination with DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic drugs, correlating with TAp63α upregulation. Furthermore, dacetuzumab augmented the activity of rituximab in combination with multiple chemotherapies in the xenograft models of NHL. The ability of dacetuzumab signaling to circumvent oncogenic events and potentiate the activity of chemotherapy regimens provides a unique therapeutic approach to NHL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disappearance of normal bone marrow (BM) plasma cells (PC) predicts malignant transformation of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering myeloma (SMM) into symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM). The homing, behavior and survival of normal PC, but also CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), B-cell precursors, and clonal PC largely depends on their interaction with stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) expressing, potentially overlapping BM stromal cell niches. Here, we investigate the distribution, phenotypic characteristics and competitive migration capacity of these cell populations in patients with MGUS, SMM and MM vs healthy adults (HA) aged >60 years. Our results show that BM and peripheral blood (PB) clonal PC progressively increase from MGUS to MM, the latter showing a slightly more immature immunophenotype. Of note, such increased number of clonal PC is associated with progressive depletion of normal PC, B-cell precursors and CD34+ HSC in the BM, also with a parallel increase in PB. In an ex vivo model, normal PC, B-cell precursors and CD34+ HSC from MGUS and SMM, but not MM patients, were able to abrogate the migration of clonal PC into serial concentrations of SDF-1. Overall, our results show that progressive competition and replacement of normal BM cells by clonal PC is associated with more advanced disease in patients with MGUS, SMM and MM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), an aggressive neoplasm etiologically associated with human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1), is resistant to treatment. In this study, we examined the effects of a new inhibitor of deacetylase enzymes, LBH589, on ATLL cells. LBH589 effectively induced apoptosis in ATLL-related cell lines and primary ATLL cells and reduced the size of tumors inoculated in SCID mice. Analyses, including with a DNA microarray, revealed that neither death receptors nor p53 pathways contributed to the apoptosis. Instead, LBH589 activated an intrinsic pathway through the activation of caspase-2. Furthermore, small interfering RNA experiments targeting caspase-2, caspase-9, RAIDD, p53-induced protein with a death domain (PIDD) and RIPK1 (RIP) indicated that activation of RAIDD is crucial and an event initiating this pathway. In addition, LBH589 caused a marked decrease in levels of factors involved in ATLL cell proliferation and invasion such as CCR4, IL-2R and HTLV-1 HBZ-SI, a spliced form of the HTLV-1 basic zipper factor HBZ. In conclusion, we showed that LBH589 is a strong inducer of apoptosis in ATLL cells and uncovered a novel apoptotic pathway initiated by activation of RAIDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IL-6 and downstream JAK-dependent signaling pathways have critical roles in the pathophysiology of multiple myeloma (MM). We investigated the effects of a novel small-molecule JAK inhibitor (AZD1480) on IL-6/JAK signal transduction and its biological consequences on the human myeloma-derived cell lines U266 and Kms.11. At low micromolar concentrations, AZD1480 blocks cell proliferation and induces apoptosis of myeloma cell lines. These biological responses to AZD1480 are associated with concomitant inhibition of phosphorylation of JAK2, STAT3 and MAPK signaling proteins. In addition, there is inhibition of expression of STAT3 target genes, particularly Cyclin D2. Examination of a wider variety of myeloma cells (RPMI 8226, OPM-2, NCI-H929, Kms.18, MM1.S and IM-9), as well as primary myeloma cells, showed that AZD1480 has broad efficacy. In contrast, viability of normal peripheral blood (PB) mononuclear cells and CD138(+) cells derived from healthy controls was not significantly inhibited. Importantly, AZD1480 induces cell death of Kms.11 cells grown in the presence of HS-5 bone marrow (BM)-derived stromal cells and inhibits tumor growth in a Kms.11 xenograft mouse model, accompanied with inhibition of phospho-FGFR3, phospho-JAK2, phospho-STAT3 and Cyclin D2 levels. In sum, AZD1480 blocks proliferation, survival, FGFR3 and JAK/STAT3 signaling in myeloma cells cultured alone or cocultured with BM stromal cells, and in vivo. Thus, AZD1480 represents a potential new therapeutic agent for patients with MM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Translocation (12;21), the most frequent chromosomal aberration in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia, creates TEL/AML1 fusion gene. Resulting hybrid protein was shown to have a role in pre-leukemia establishment. To address its role for leukemic cell survival, we applied RNA interference to silence TEL/AML1 in leukemic cells. We designed and tested 11 different oligonucleotides targeting the TEL/AML1 fusion site. Using most efficient siRNAs, we achieved an average of 74-86% TEL/AML1 protein knockdown in REH and UOC-B6 leukemic cells, respectively. TEL/AML1 silencing neither decreased cell viability, nor induced apoptosis. On the contrary, it resulted in the modest but significant increase in the S phase fraction and in higher proliferation rate. Opposite effects on cell cycle distribution and proliferation were induced by AML1 silencing, thus, supporting our hypothesis that TEL/AML1 may block AML1-mediated promotion of G1/S progression through the cell cycle. In line with the lack of major effect on phenotype, we found no significant changes in clonogenic potential and global gene expression pattern upon TEL/AML1 depletion. Our data suggest that though TEL/AML1 is important for the (pre)leukemic clone development, it may be dispensable for leukemic cell survival and would not be a suitable target for gene-specific therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]