GZD824 suppresses the growth of human B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells by inhibiting the SRC kinase and PI3K/AKT pathways.

Abstract

Available therapeutic options for advanced B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pre-B ALL) are limited. Many lead to neutropenia, leaving patients at risk of life-threatening infections and result in bad outcomes. New treatment options are needed to improve overall survival. We previously showed that GZD824, a novel BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has anti-tumor activity in Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia cells and tumor models. Here, we show that GZD824 decreases cell viability, induces cell-cycle arrest, and causes apoptosis in pre-B ALL cells. Furthermore, Ph- pre-B ALL cells were more sensitive to GZD824 than Ph+ pre-B ALL cells. GZD824 consistently reduced tumor loads in Ph- pre-B ALL xenografts but failed to suppress Ph+ pre-B ALL xenografts. GZD824 decreased phosphorylation of SRC kinase, STAT3, RB and C-myc. It also downregulated the expression of BCL-XL, CCND1 and CDK4 and upregulated expression of CCKN1A. Expression of IRS1 was decreased in GZD824-treated pre-B ALL cells, blocking the PI3K/AKT pathway. These data demonstrate that GZD824 suppresses pre-B ALL cells through inhibition of the SRC kinase and PI3K/AKT pathways and may be a potential therapeutic agent for the management of pre-B ALL.

• Authors: Wei Ye, Zhiwu Jiang, Xiaoyun Lu, Xiaomei Ren, Manman Deng, Shouheng Lin, Yiren Xiao, Simiao Lin, Suna Wang, Baiheng Li, Yi Zheng, Peilong Lai, Jianyu Weng, Donghai Wu, Yuguo Ma, Xudong Chen, Zhesheng Wen, Yaoyu Chen, Xiaoyan Feng, Yangqiu Li, Pentao Liu, Xin Du, Duanqing Pei, Yao Yao, Bing Xu, Ke Ding, Peng Li
• Journal: Oncotarget (Oncotarget) Vol. 8 Issue 50 Pg. 87002-87015 (Oct 20 2017) ISSN: 1949-2553 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 29152059 (Publication Type: Journal Article)