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Biomedical subjects

Steven Grant

Publications and source records attributed to Steven Grant.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Small molecule inhibitors targeting cyclin-dependent kinases as anticancer agents.

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and their related pathways represent some of the most attractive targets in the development of anticancer therapeutics. Among a variety of CDK inhibitors under development, flavopiridol, UCN-01, CYC202, and BMS-387032 are undergoing clinical evaluation based on evidence of preclinical antitumor activity. Flavopiridol exerts multiple effects in tumor cells, including inhibition of multiple CDKs, transcriptional inhibition secondary to disruption of P-TEFb (CDK9/cyclin T), induction of apoptosis, and antiangiogenesis. UCN-01 was initially developed as a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, but its major antitumor effects appear to be related to CDK inhibition or "inappropriate" activation of cdc2/CDK1 abrogating the G2 and S checkpoints, inhibition of PDK1/Akt, and induction of apoptosis through a PKC-independent mechanism. Significantly, combining these CDK inhibitors with either conventional cytotoxic drugs or novel agents targeting signal transduction pathways can markedly enhance antitumor activity, particularly induction of apoptosis, in various preclinical models. Such findings may serve as a basis for the introduction of novel combination regimens into clinical trials.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2004

Costimulation with interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 induces mast cell apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest: the role of p53 and the mitochondrion.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the mechanism by which interleukin (IL)-4 + IL-10 costimulation regulates mast cell numbers to maintain immune homeostasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We employed mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) to measure the effects of IL-4 + IL-10 on survival and cell-cycle progression. p53-Deficient, bax-deficient, and bcl-2 transgenic BMMC were compared to wild-type cells to determine the role of these proteins in apoptosis. The molecular regulation of apoptosis and cell-cycle progression was investigated using flow cytometric analysis, RNase protection, and Western blotting. RESULTS: IL-4 + IL-10 induced BMMC apoptosis and arrest. Apoptosis was p53-dependent. Cell death was accompanied by loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, the importance of which was demonstrated by resistance to IL-4 + IL-10-mediated cell death when Bax was deleted or Bcl-2 was overexpressed. Those cells not killed by apoptosis demonstrated a p53-independent G1 cell-cycle arrest. Apoptosis and arrest may be explained by reduced IL-3 receptor signaling. CONCLUSION: Costimulation with IL-4 + IL-10 partly controls mast cell homeostasis through a delayed apoptosis and arrest program that is induced by a blockade of IL-3 receptor signaling. The delay in these negative effects would allow the protective effects of mast cell activation to occur for several days.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Evidence of a functional role for p21WAF1/CIP1 down-regulation in synergistic antileukemic interactions between the histone deacetylase inhibitor sodium butyrate and flavopiridol.

The functional significance of disruption of p21(WAF1/CIP1) induction by flavopiridol (FP) in human leukemia cells (Jurkat) exposed to the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor sodium butyrate (SB) was investigated. Coexposure of leukemic cells to FP blocked SB-mediated induction of p21(WAF1/CIP1) and resulted in a marked increase in mitochondrial injury, activation of procaspases-3 and -8, Bid cleavage, and PARP degradation. Enforced expression of p21(WAF1/CIP1) (i.e., in Jurkat cells inducibly expressing p21(WAF1/CIP1) under the control of a doxycycline-responsive promoter) partially but significantly reduced cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor release, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, caspase-3 and -8 activation, Bid cleavage, poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) degradation, and apoptosis in response to SB/FP. Furthermore, increasing expression of p21(WAF1/CIP1) (i.e., by culturing cells in the presence of higher concentrations of doxycycline) rendered cells more resistant to SB/FP-mediated lethality. Enforced expression of p21(WAF1/CIP1) did not modify SB/FP-mediated JNK activation or generation of reactive oxygen species. Consistent with these results, Jurkat cells stably expressing a p21(WAF1/CIP1) nuclear localization mutant (p21DeltaNLS) were also resistant to SB/FP-mediated mitochondrial injury, activation of procaspases-3 and -8, PARP cleavage, and apoptosis. Finally, enforced expression of full-length or ectopic expression of DeltaNLS p21(WAF1/CIP1) increased the amount of p21(WAF1/CIP1) coimmunoprecipitating with procaspase-3. Together, these findings suggest that interruption of HDAC-mediated p21(WAF1/CIP1) induction by FP plays a significant functional role in potentiating apoptosis, possibly by preventing the formation of a procaspase-3/p21(WAF1/CIP1) complex.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2004

Histone deacetylase inhibitors in clinical development.

In addition to a variety of other novel agents, interest in histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) as antineoplastic drugs has recently accelerated and increasing numbers of these compounds have entered clinical trials in humans. HDACIs represent a prototype of molecularly targeted agents that perturb signal transduction, cell cycle-regulatory and survival-related pathways. Newer generation HDACIs have been introduced into the clinical arena that are considerably more potent on a molar basis than their predecessors and are beginning to show early evidence of activity, particularly in hematopoietic malignancies. In addition, there is an increasing appreciation of the fact that HDACIs may act through mechanisms other than induction of histone acetylation and, as in the case of other molecularly-targeted agents, it is conceivable that the ultimate role of HDACIs in cancer therapy will be as modulators of apoptosis induced by other cytotoxic agents. One particularly promising strategy involves attempts to combine HDACIs with other novel agents to promote tumour cell differentiation or apoptosis. The present review focuses on recent insights into the mechanisms by which HDACIs exert their anticancer effects, either alone or in combination with other compounds, as well as attempts to translate these findings into the clinic.

Acetylation↗
PubMed2004

The histone deacetylase inhibitor sodium butyrate induces breast cancer cell apoptosis through diverse cytotoxic actions including glutathione depletion and oxidative stress.

Sodium butyrate (NaBu), a potent histone deacetylase inhibitor, modulates the expression of a large number of genes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this dietary agent could induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, a breast cancer cell line that lacks caspase-3 activity, and to identify the mechanisms that underlie NaBu toxicity in these cells. Cell viability assessed by the activity of mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase (MTT assay) revealed a dose-dependent reduction of MCF-7 cellular growth in response to NaBu treatment. Restoring caspase-3 function by transfection did not modify NaBu toxicity in these cells. Following a 24-h exposure, NaBu-induced cell growth arrest in G2/M phase in a dose-dependent fashion in association with stable expression of CDC25A, a G1-specific regulator of the cell cycle. The anti-proliferative effects of NaBu were accompanied by diminished expression of p53. Similarly, mRNA encoding c-Myc, a well-known regulator of p53, was decreased in NaBu-treated cells, while p21(Waf1/Cip1) mRNA was increased. Furthermore, bax mRNA level was up-regulated whereas a decline in Bcl-2 both protein and mRNA levels were detected in NaBu-treated cells. Apoptosis was observed following a treatment with 2 mM NaBu, reflected by Annexin-V staining and by the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, whereas DNA laddering was absent. Apoptosis was associated with a pronounced depletion of intracellular glutathione levels. Finally, NaBu treatment significantly increased the activities of several antioxidant enzymes, including glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. Together, these data suggest that the pro-apoptotic effects of NaBu observed in MCF-7 cells are associated with oxidative stress.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed2004

Clinically identifying women with vulvar lichen sclerosus at increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical factors that might identify women with vulvar lichen sclerosus who are at increased risk of developing squamous cell cacinoma. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective, case-control study compared 46 women presenting between 1992 and 2000 with clinical and histologic evidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva arising in a background of lichen sclerosus and 213 new referrals with vulvar lichen sclerosus during the same period. RESULTS: The ages of the patients and presence of clinical hyperplasia were the only differences between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Women presenting with vulvar cancer arising within a background of lichen sclerosus are significantly older than women presenting with lichen sclerosus. In addition, clinical evidence of squamous hyperplasia is independently associated with vulvar carcinoma. Neither the presence nor duration of symptoms nor the loss of vulvar architecture is a useful indicator of potential cancer risk.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2004

The small-molecule Bcl-2 inhibitor HA14-1 interacts synergistically with flavopiridol to induce mitochondrial injury and apoptosis in human myeloma cells through a free radical-dependent and Jun NH2-terminal kinase-dependent mechanism.

Interactions between the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor flavopiridol and the small-molecule Bcl-2 antagonist HA14-1 were examined in human multiple myeloma cells. Whereas individual treatment of U266 myeloma cells with 10 micromol/L HA14-1 or 100 nmol/L flavopiridol had little effect, exposure of cells to flavopiridol (6 hours) followed by HA14-1 (18 hours) resulted in a striking increase in mitochondrial dysfunction (cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO release; loss of mitochondrial membrane potential), activation of the caspase cascade, apoptosis, and diminished clonogenic survival. Similar findings were noted in other myeloma cell lines (e.g., MM.1S, RPMI8226, and NCI-H929) as well as in those resistant to dexamethasone and cytotoxic agents (e.g., MM.1R, 8226/Dox40, and 8226/LR5). Combined exposure to flavopiridol and HA14-1 was associated with down-regulation of Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL, Bid cleavage, and mitochondrial translocation of Bax. Flavopiridol/HA14-1-treated cells also exhibited a pronounced activation of Jun NH2-terminal kinase, a modest activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and down-regulation of cyclin D1. Flavopiridol/HA14-1-induced apoptosis was associated with a marked increase in reactive oxygen species generation; moreover,both events were attenuated by the antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine. Finally, in contrast to dexamethasone, flavopiridol/HA14-1-induced lethality was unaffected by exogenous interleukin-6 or insulin-like growth factor-I. Together, these findings indicate that flavopiridol and the small-molecule Bcl-2 antagonist HA14-1 cooperate to trigger oxidant injury, mitochondrial dysfunction, caspase activation, and apoptosis in human multiple myeloma cells and suggest that this approach may warrant further evaluation as an antimyeloma strategy.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2003

Coadministration of the heat shock protein 90 antagonist 17-allylamino- 17-demethoxygeldanamycin with suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid or sodium butyrate synergistically induces apoptosis in human leukemia cells.

Interactions between the histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and sodium butyrate (SB) and the heat shock protein (Hsp) 90 antagonist 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) have been examined in human leukemia cells (U937). Coadministration of marginally toxic concentrations of 17-AAG with sublethal concentrations of SB or SAHA resulted in highly synergistic induction of mitochondrial damage (i.e., cytochrome c release), caspase-3 and -8 activation, and apoptosis. Similar interactions were noted in human promyelocytic (HL-60) and lymphoblastic (Jurkat) leukemia cells. These events were accompanied by multiple perturbations in signal transduction, cell cycle, and survival-related pathways, including early down-regulation of Raf-1, inactivation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and mitogen-activated protein/ERK kinase (MEK) 1/2, diminished expression of phospho-Akt, and late activation of c-Jun-NH(2)-terminal kinase, but no changes in expression of phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Coadministration of 17-AAG blocked SAHA-mediated induction of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(CIP1) and resulted in reduced expression of p27(KIP1) and p34(cdc2). 17-AAG/SAHA-treated cells also displayed down-regulation of the antiapoptotic protein Mcl-1 and evidence of Bcl-2 cleavage. Enforced expression of doxycycline-inducible p21(CIP1) or constitutively active MEK1 significantly diminished 17-AAG/SAHA-mediated lethality, indicating that interference with ERK activation and p21(CIP1) induction play important functional roles in the lethal effects of this regimen. In contrast, enforced expression of constitutively active Akt failed to exert cytoprotective actions. Together, these findings indicate that coadministration of SAHA or SB with the Hsp90 antagonist 17-AAG in human leukemia cells leads to multiple perturbations in signaling, cell cycle, and survival pathways that culminate in mitochondrial injury and apoptosis. They also raise the possibility that combining such agents with Hsp90 antagonists may represent a novel antileukemic strategy.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed2003

Interruption of the NF-kappaB pathway by Bay 11-7082 promotes UCN-01-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in human multiple myeloma cells.

Interactions between pharmacologic NF-kappaB inhibitors (eg, Bay 11-7082, SN-50) and the checkpoint abrogator UCN-01 have been examined in human multiple myeloma (MM) cells. Exposure of U266 cells to Bay 11-7082 (Bay) in combination with UCN-01 resulted in the abrogation of NF-kappaB/DNA binding activity and the synergistic induction of apoptosis. Comparable synergism was observed in other MM cell lines and patient-derived CD138+ cells and between an inhibitory peptide of NF-kappaB (SN50) and UCN-01. Bay/UCN-01-mediated lethality involved mitochondrial dysfunction, caspase cleavage, and poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase (PARP) degradation. Although Bay modestly blocked UCN-01-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, coadministration activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and cdc2/cdk1 and down-regulated Mcl-1, XIAP, and Bcl-xL. Transfection with a constitutively activated mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK1)/green fluorescent protein (GFP) construct failed to block apoptosis induced by Bay/UCN-01 but significantly attenuated MEK inhibitor (U0126)/UCN-01-induced lethality. Inhibiting JNK activation with SP600125 or D-JNKI1 peptide markedly reduced Bay/UCN-01-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis and the down-regulation of Mcl-1, XIAP, and Bcl-xL but not of cdc2/cdk1 activation. Stable transfection of cells with dominant-negative caspase-9 dramatically diminished Bay/UCN-01 lethality without altering JNK or cdc2/cdk1 activation. Neither interleukin-6 (IL-6)- nor fibronectin-mediated adherence conferred resistance to Bay/UCN-01-induced apoptosis. Together, these findings suggest that a strategy combining UCN-01 with disruption of the IkappaB kinase (IKK)/IkappaB/NF-kappaB pathway warrants attention in MM.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed2003

Proteasome inhibitors potentiate leukemic cell apoptosis induced by the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor flavopiridol through a SAPK/JNK- and NF-kappaB-dependent process.

Interactions between proteasome and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors have been examined in human leukemia cells in relation to induction of apoptosis. Simultaneous exposure (24 h) of U937 myelomonocytic leukemia cells to 100 nM flavopiridol and 300 nM MG-132 resulted in a marked increase in mitochondrial injury (cytochrome c, Smac/DIABLO release, loss of deltaPsi(m)), caspase activation, and synergistic induction of cell death, accompanied by a marked decrease in clonogenic potential. Similar effects were observed with other proteasome inhibitors (e.g., Bortezomib (VELCADE trade mark bortezomib or injection), lactacystin, LLnL) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (e.g., roscovitine), as well as other leukemia cell types (e.g., HL-60, Jurkat, Raji). In U937 cells, synergistic interactions between MG-132 and flavopiridol were associated with multiple perturbations in expression/activation of signaling- and survival-related proteins, including downregulation of XIAP and Mcl-1, activation of JNK and p34(cdc2), and diminished expression of p21(CIP1). The lethal effects of MG-132/flavopiridol were not reduced in leukemic cells ectopically expressing Bcl-2, but were partially attenuated in cells ectopically expressing dominant-negative caspase-8 or CrmA. Flavopiridol/proteasome inhibitor-mediated lethality was also significantly diminished by agents and siRNA blocking JNK activation. Lastly, coadministration of MG-132 with flavopiridol resulted in diminished DNA binding of NF-kappaB. Notably, pharmacologic interruption of the NF-kappaB pathway (e.g., by BAY 11-7082, PDTC, or SN-50) or molecular dysregulation of NF-kappaB (i.e., in cells ectopically expressing an IkappaBalpha super-repressor) mimicked the actions of proteasome inhibitors in promoting flavopiridol-induced mitochondrial injury, JNK activation, and apoptosis. Together, these findings indicate that proteasome inhibitors strikingly lower the apoptotic threshold of leukemic cells exposed to pharmacologic CDK inhibitors, and suggest that interruption of the NF-kappaB cytoprotective pathway and JNK activation both play key roles in this phenomenon. They also raise the possibility that combining proteasome and CDK inhibitors could represent a novel antileukemic strategy.

Anisomycin↗
PubMed2003

Flavopiridol potently induces small cell lung cancer apoptosis during S phase in a manner that involves early mitochondrial dysfunction.

PURPOSE: Accumulating evidence indicates that small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is defective in many of the regulatory mechanisms that control cell cycle progression. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of flavopiridol, a pan-cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, on growth and apoptosis of SCLC cell lines. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Cell growth was monitored using 3-(4,5dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and clonogenic assays. Induction of apoptosis was assessed using multiple assays, including flow cytometric determination of DNA content and mitochondrial membrane potential, terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), and Western blot analysis of procaspase 3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. RESULTS: Flavopiridol induced growth inhibition and cytotoxicity in multiple SCLC cell lines, with an IC(50) of 50-100 nM and an LD(50) of 150-200 nM in 72-h MTT assays. The cytotoxicity seen in the MTT assay proved to be apoptosis by several criteria. Interestingly, inhibition of caspase activation with the caspase inhibitor Boc-Asp(OMe)-CH(2)F reduced TUNEL labeling by 40% but did not have any effect on the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (detected as early as 4 h after drug exposure) or cytotoxicity in MTT assays. These results suggest that the primary event in flavopiridol-induced apoptosis involves induction of mitochondrial dysfunction. Cells synchronized with aphidicolin at the G(1)-S border and treated with flavopiridol during S phase showed a marked increase in apoptosis compared with an asynchronous population or a population treated during G(2)-M. Despite the increased apoptosis, a significant proportion of synchronized cells proceeded through S, G(2)-M, and into G(1) phase in the presence of flavopiridol, demonstrating that a high-grade cell cycle arrest is not required for apoptosis. Cells synchronized at the G(1)-S border treated with a short exposure to flavopiridol also showed more than a 10-fold decrease in clonogenicity compared with asynchronous cells treated identically. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these data demonstrate that flavopiridol potently and selectively induces SCLC apoptosis preferentially during S phase, in a manner that involves early mitochondrial dysfunction without a requirement for a high-grade block to cell cycle progression. Furthermore, clonogenicity data suggests that prior S phase synchronization could be a highly effective way of enhancing the efficacy of bolus or short infusions of flavopiridol in the clinical setting.

Aphidicolin↗
PubMed2003

Inhibition of PI-3 kinase sensitizes human leukemic cells to histone deacetylase inhibitor-mediated apoptosis through p44/42 MAP kinase inactivation and abrogation of p21(CIP1/WAF1) induction rather than AKT inhibition.

Effects of the PI-3 kinase inhibitor LY294002 (LY) have been examined in relation to responses of human leukemia cells to histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs). Coexposure of U937 cells for 24 h to marginally toxic concentrations of LY294002 (e.g., 30 microM) and sodium butyrate (SB; 1 mM) resulted in a marked increase in mitochondrial damage (e.g., cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO release, loss of DeltaPsi(m)), caspase activation, and apoptosis. Similar results were observed in Jurkat, HL-60, and K562 leukemic cells and with other HDIs (e.g., SAHA, MS-275). Exposure of cells to SB/LY was associated with Bcl-2 and Bid cleavage, XIAP and Mcl-1 downregulation, and diminished CD11b expression. While LY blocked SB-mediated Akt activation, enforced expression of a constitutively active (myristolated) Akt failed to attenuate SB/LY-mediated lethality. Unexpectedly, treatment of cells with SB+/-LY resulted in a marked reduction in phosphorylation (activation) of p44/42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. Moreover, enforced expression of a constitutively active MEK1 construct partially but significantly attenuated SB/LY-induced apoptosis. Lastly, cotreatment with LY blocked SB-mediated induction of p21(CIP1/WAF1); moreover, enforced expression of p21(CIP1/WAF1) significantly reduced SB/LY-mediated apoptosis. Together, these findings indicate that LY promotes SB-mediated apoptosis through an AKT-independent process that involves MEK/MAP kinase inactivation and interference with p21(CIP1/WAF1) induction.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2003

MAPK pathways in radiation responses.

Within the last 15 years, multiple new signal transduction pathways within cells have been discovered. Many of these pathways belong to what is now termed 'the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) superfamily.' These pathways have been linked to the growth factor-mediated regulation of diverse cellular events such as proliferation, senescence, differentiation and apoptosis. Based on currently available data, exposure of cells to ionizing radiation and a variety of other toxic stresses induces simultaneous compensatory activation of multiple MAPK pathways. These signals play critical roles in controlling cell survival and repopulation effects following irradiation, in a cell-type-dependent manner. Some of the signaling pathways activated following radiation exposure are those normally activated by mitogens, such as the 'classical' MAPK (also known as the ERK) pathway. Other MAPK pathways activated by radiation include those downstream of death receptors and procaspases, and DNA-damage signals, including the JNK and P38 MAPK pathways. The expression and release of autocrine growth factor ligands, such as (transforming growth factor alpha) and TNF-alpha, following irradiation can also enhance the responses of MAPK pathways in cells and, consequently, of bystander cells. Thus, the ability of radiation to activate MAPK signaling pathways may depend on the expression of multiple growth factor receptors, autocrine factors and Ras mutation. Enhanced basal signaling by proto-oncogenes such as K-/H-/N-RAS may provide a radioprotective and growth-promoting signal. In many cell types, this may be via the PI3K pathway; in others, this may occur through nuclear factor-kappa B or multiple MAPK pathways. This review will describe the enzymes within the known MAPK signaling pathways and discuss their activation and roles in cellular radiation responses.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Melanoma differentiation-associated 7 (interleukin 24) inhibits growth and enhances radiosensitivity of glioma cells in vitro and in vivo.

PURPOSE: Despite therapeutic interventions including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) has a very poor prognosis and novel therapies are required. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Melanoma differentiation-associated 7 (mda-7) (interleukin 24), when expressed via a recombinant replication-defective adenovirus, adenovirus (Ad).mda-7, has profound antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects in a variety of tumor cells but not in nontransformed cells. The present studies examined the combined impact of Ad.mda-7 and ionizing radiation on the proliferation and survival of GBM cell lines. RESULTS: Ad.mda-7 caused a dose-dependent reduction in the proliferation of glioma cells in 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays. The antiproliferative effects of Ad.mda-7 were enhanced by radiation in a greater than additive fashion. These effects were not observed in cultures of nontransformed primary astrocytes. Purified MDA-7 protein caused a similar dose-dependent reduction in GBM cell growth that was enhanced after radiation exposure. The enhanced reduction in growth correlated with increased necrosis and DNA degradation. These modifications in cell phenotype correlated with reduced expression of Bcl-(XL) and enhanced expression of BAX. Overexpression of Bcl-(XL) protected cells from the antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of Ad.mda-7 + radiation. Incubation of cells with N-acetyl cysteine abolished the enhancing effects of radiation. In vitro, Ad.mda-7 and radiation reduced colony formation ability, which was significantly increased when the two treatments were combined. In vivo, Ad.mda-7 enhanced the survival of Fischer 344 rats implanted intracranially with glioma cells. Radiation did not alter survival in control infected animals, whereas it prolonged survival in those infected with Ad.mda-7. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that mda-7 reduces the proliferation and enhances the radiosensitivity of GBM cells in vitro and in vivo.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMed2003

The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib interacts synergistically with histone deacetylase inhibitors to induce apoptosis in Bcr/Abl+ cells sensitive and resistant to STI571.

Interactions between the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs) have been examined in Bcr/Abl+ human leukemia cells (K562 and LAMA 84). Coexposure of cells (24-48 hours) to minimally toxic concentrations of bortezomib + either suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) or sodium butyrate (SB) resulted in a striking increase in mitochondrial injury, caspase activation, and apoptosis, reflected by caspases-3 and -8 cleavage and poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PARP) degradation. These events were accompanied by down-regulation of the Raf-1/mitogen-induced extracellular kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) pathway as well as diminished expression of Bcr/Abl and cyclin D1, cleavage of p21CIP1 and phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb), and induction of the stress-related kinases Jun kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Transient transfection of cells with a constitutively active MEK construct significantly protected them from bortezomib/SAHA-mediated lethality. Coadministration of bortezomib and SAHA resulted in increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and diminished nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) activation; moreover, the free radical scavenger L-N-acetylcyteine (LNAC) blocked bortezomib/SAHA-related ROS generation, induction of JNK and p21CIP1, and apoptosis. Lastly, this regimen potently induced apoptosis in STI571 (imatinib mesylate)-resistant K562 cells and CD34+ mononuclear cells obtained from a patient with STI571-resistant disease, as well as in Bcr/Abl- leukemia cells (eg, HL-60, U937, Jurkat). Together, these findings raise the possibility that combined proteasome/histone deacetylase inhibition may represent a novel strategy in leukemia, including apoptosis-resistant Bcr/Abl+ hematologic malignancies.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2003

The histone deacetylase inhibitor MS-275 promotes differentiation or apoptosis in human leukemia cells through a process regulated by generation of reactive oxygen species and induction of p21CIP1/WAF1 1.

Effects of the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor MS-275 have been examined in human leukemia and lymphoma cells (U937, HL-60, K562, and Jurkat) as well as in primary acute myelogenous leukemia blasts in relation to differentiation and apoptosis. MS-275 displayed dose-dependent effects in each of the cell lines. When administered at a low concentration (e.g., 1 micro M), MS-275 exhibited potent antiproliferative activity, inducing p21(CIP1/WAF1)-mediated growth arrest and expression of differentiation markers (CD11b) in U937 cells. These events were accompanied by an increase in hypophosphorylated retinoblastoma protein and down-regulation of cell cycle-related proteins including cyclin D1. However, at higher concentrations (e.g., 5 micro M), MS-275 potently induced cell death, triggering apoptosis in approximately 70% of cells at 48 h. In contrast to other HDAC inhibitors such as apicidin, the extrinsic, receptor-mediated pathway played a minimal role in MS-275 lethality. However, MS-275 potently induced a very early (e.g., within 2 h) increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), followed by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta psi(m)) and cytosolic release of cytochrome c. These events culminated in activation of the caspase cascade, manifested by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, p21(CIP1/WAF1), p27(KIP), Bcl-2, and retinoblastoma protein degradation. MS-275 exposure also resulted in diminished expression of cyclin D1 and the antiapoptotic proteins Mcl-1 and XIAP. Administration of the free radical scavenger L-N-acetylcysteine blocked MS-275-mediated mitochondrial injury and apoptosis, suggesting a primary role for ROS generation in MS-275-associated lethality. Lastly, U937 cells stably expressing a p21(CIP1/WAF1) antisense construct were significantly more sensitive to MS-275-mediated apoptosis than controls, but they were impaired in their differentiation response. Together, these findings demonstrate that MS-275 exerts dose-dependent effects in human leukemia cells, i.e., p21(CIP1/WAF1)-dependent growth arrest and differentiation at low drug concentrations and a marked induction of ROS, mitochondrial damage, caspase activation, and apoptosis at higher concentrations.

Apoptosis↗