Epothilone A induces apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells with multiple mechanisms of drug resistance.

Abstract

Epothilone A, a novel macrolide antibiotic, is produced by the myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum. Similarly to paclitaxel (Taxol), epothilone A inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis by binding to tubulin and stabilizing of microtubuli. Like paclitaxel, epothilone A induced apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells which exhibit constitutive cytoplasmic sequestration of p53 and, hence, an impaired DNA-damage-dependent apoptosis. However, in contrast to paclitaxel, epothilone A was also effective against a constitutively Pgp-expressing, multidrug resistant neuroblastoma cell line (SK-N-SH). Moreover, the efficacy of epothilone A was not impaired even though the Pgp level was further increased during treatment with the drug.

• Authors: A Wolff, A Technau, G Brandner
• Journal: International journal of oncology (Int J Oncol) Vol. 11 Issue 1 Pg. 123-6 (Jul 1997) ISSN: 1019-6439 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 21528189 (Publication Type: Journal Article)