bryostatin-1 and Leukemia--Myelogenous--Chronic--BCR-ABL-Positive

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a hematopoietic stem cell disorder maintained by cancer stem cells. To target this population, we investigated the mechanism of action of BMS-214662, developed as a farnesyl transferase inhibitor (FTI) and unique in inducing apoptosis in these cells. By contrast, a related congener and equally effective FTI, BMS-225975 does not induce apoptosis, indicating a novel mechanism of action. BMS-214662 significantly and selectively induced apoptosis in primitive CD34(+)38(-) CML compared with normal cells. Apoptosis proceeded via the intrinsic pathway: Bax conformational changes, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, generation of reactive oxygen species, release of cytochrome c, and caspase-9/3 activation were noted. Up-regulation of protein kinase Cbeta (PKCbeta), down-regulation of E2F1, and phosphorylation of cyclin A-associated cyclin-dependent kinase 2 preceded these changes. Cotreatment of CML CD34(+) and CD34(+)38(-) cells with PKC modulators, bryostatin-1, or hispidin markedly decreased these early events and the subsequent apoptosis. None of these events was elicited by BMS-214662 in normal CD34(+) cells or by BMS-225975 in CML CD34(+) cells. These data suggest that BMS-214662 selectively elicits a latent apoptotic pathway in CML stem cells that is initiated by up-regulation of PKCbeta and mediated by Bax activation, providing a molecular framework for development of novel therapeutics.

Topics: ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1; Antigens, CD34; Apoptosis; bcl-2-Associated X Protein; Benzodiazepines; Bryostatins; Caspases; Cyclin A; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2; E2F1 Transcription Factor; Enzyme Activation; Enzyme Inhibitors; Farnesyltranstransferase; Humans; Imidazoles; In Vitro Techniques; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive; Membrane Glycoproteins; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Mitochondria; Neoplastic Stem Cells; Protein Kinase C; Protein Kinase C beta

In chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), imatinib mesylate (IM; Gleevec, Glivec) induces a G0/G1 cell-cycle block in total CD34(+) cells without causing significant apoptosis. Bryostatin-1 (bryo), a protein kinase C (PKC) modulator, was investigated for its ability to increase IM-mediated apoptosis either through induction of cycling of G0/G1 Ph(+) cells or antagonism of the IM-induced cell-cycle block.. The Ph(+) K562 cell line and primary CD34(+) CML cells were studied for cell-cycle progression (PI staining), proliferation ((3)H thymidine uptake), and survival (dye exclusion).. Following 48 hours exposure to IM, on average more than 80% of surviving K562 cells were in G0/G1 as compared to approximately 50% for untreated control cultures (p < 0.001). After accounting for IM-induced cell kill, the absolute number of viable G0/G1 cells was significantly increased, confirming its anti-proliferative effect. However, pretreatment for 24 hours with bryo both increased K562 total cell kill and normalized the percentage of cells recovered in G0/G1, thus reducing their absolute number. For primary CML CD34(+) cells, pretreatment with bryo prior to IM significantly enhanced cell death of both total and, critically, G0/G1 populations.. These results suggest that carefully scheduled drug combinations that include an agent to antagonize the anti-proliferative effect of IM may prove more efficacious within the Ph(+) stem cell compartment than IM monotherapy.

Topics: Antigens, CD34; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Benzamides; Bryostatins; Drug Antagonism; G1 Phase; Hematopoietic Stem Cells; Humans; Imatinib Mesylate; K562 Cells; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive; Macrolides; Piperazines; Protein Kinase C; Pyrimidines; Resting Phase, Cell Cycle

Bryostatin-1 belongs to the family of macrocyclic lactones isolated from the marine bryozoan Bugula neritina and is a potent activator of protein kinase C (PKC). Bryostatin has been demonstrated to possess both in vivo and in vitro anti-leukaemic potential. In samples derived from chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients, it has been demonstrated that bryostatin-1 induces a macrophage differentiation, suppresses colony growth in vitro and promotes cytokine secretion from accessory cells. We investigated the effect of bryostatin-1 treatment on colony-forming unit-granulocyte macrophage (CFU-GM) capacity in the presence of accessory cells, using mononuclear cells, as well as in the absence of accessory cells using purified CD34-positive cells. Cells were obtained from 14 CML patients as well as from nine controls. Moreover, CD34-positive cells derived from CML samples and controls were analysed for stem cell frequency and ability using the long-term culture initiating cell (LTCIC) assay at limiting dilution. Individual colonies derived from both the CFU-GM and LTCIC assays were analysed for the presence of the bcr-abl gene with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to evaluate inhibition of malignant colony growth. The results show that at the CFU-GM level bryostatin-1 treatment resulted in only a 1.4-fold higher reduction of CML colony growth as compared to the control samples, both in the presence and in the absence of accessory cells. However, at the LTCIC level a sixfold higher reduction of CML growth was observed as compared to the control samples. Analysis of the LTCICs at limiting dilution indicates that this purging effect is caused by a decrease in output per malignant LTCIC combined with an increase in the normal stem cell frequency. It is concluded that bryostatin-1 selectively inhibits CML growth at the LTCIC level and should be explored as a purging modality in CML.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Bryostatins; Enzyme Activation; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl; Granulocytes; Hematopoietic Stem Cells; Humans; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; Lactones; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive; Macrolides; Macrophages; Tumor Stem Cell Assay

We have examined the ability of bryostatin 1 (bryo), an activator of protein kinase C, to induce differentiation of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells obtained from peripheral blood. Bryo induced a prompt and persistent macrophage-like differentiation, as evidenced by functional, morphological, and immunological criteria. Differentiated cells remained viable for at least 21 days with little change in cell number. CML cell cultures treated in semisolid medium with bryo showed diffuse infiltration with single macrophages, as well as discrete macrophage, mixed, and granulocytic colonies. Supernatants of suspension cultures of bryo-treated CML cells contained granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, colony formation could be significantly inhibited by the addition of antibodies to GM-CSF. Prolonged liquid culture of CML cells in bryo reduced colony-forming unit, granulocyte-macrophage content. Bryo-induced differentiation was associated with a decrease in lactoferrin, a marker of granulocyte differentiation, and an increase in both c-fms and interleukin-1 beta RNA, both of which are expressed by monocytes/macrophages. These data demonstrate that bryostatin 1 is capable of inducing macrophage-like differentiation in maturing CML cells. Furthermore, bryostatin induces secretion of GM-CSF by such cells in suspension and semisolid medium and also promotes clonal extinction of granulocyte-macrophage progenitors. Bryostatin may be a possible therapeutic agent for CML.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Blotting, Northern; Bryostatins; Cell Differentiation; Cell Division; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactones; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive; Macrolides; Phagocytosis; RNA, Neoplasm; Tumor Cells, Cultured