Study findings from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Institute of Hematology provide new insights into leukemia cell biology

03-01-2007

Data detailed in "Eriocalyxin B induces apoptosis of t(8;21) leukemia cells through NF-kappaB and MAPK signaling pathways and triggers degradation of AML1-ETO oncoprotein in a caspase-3-dependent manner" have been presented. "Diterpenoids isolated from Labiatae family herbs have strong antitumor activities with low toxicity. In this study, Eriocalyxin B (EriB), a diterpenoid extracted from Isodon eriocalyx, was tested on human leukemia/lymphoma cells and murine leukemia models," investigators in Shanghai, People's Republic of China report.

"Acute myeloid leukemia cell line Kasumi-1 was most sensitive to EriB. Significant apoptosis was observed, concomitant with Bcl-2/Bcl-XL downregulation, mitochondrial instability and caspase-3 activation. AML1-ETO oncoprotein was degraded in parallel to caspase-3 activation. EriB-mediated apoptosis was associated with NF-kappaB inactivation by preventing NF-kappaB nuclear translocation and inducing IkappaBalpha cleavage, and disturbance of MAPK pathway by downregulating ERK1/2 phosphorylation and activating AP-1. Without affecting normal hematopoietic progenitor cells proliferation, EriB was effective on primary t(8;21) leukemia blasts and caused AML1-ETO degradation. In murine t(8;21) leukemia models, EriB remarkably prolonged the survival time or decreased the xenograft tumor size," wrote L. Wang and colleagues, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Institute of Hematology.

The researchers concluded: "Together, EriB might be a potential treatment for t(8;21) leukemia by targeting AML1-ETO oncoprotein and activating apoptosis pathways."

Wang and colleagues published their study in Cell Death and Differentiation (Eriocalyxin B induces apoptosis of t(8;21) leukemia cells through NF-kappaB and MAPK signaling pathways and triggers degradation of AML1-ETO oncoprotein in a caspase-3-dependent manner. Cell Death and Differentiation, 2007;14(2):306-17).

For additional information, contact L. Wang, Rui Jin Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China.

The publisher of the journal Cell Death and Differentiation can be contacted at: Nature Publishing Group, Macmillan Building, 4 Crinan St., London N1 9XW, England.

This article was prepared by Hematology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Hematology Week via NewsRx.com.