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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Olaf Heidenreich
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© 2018, The Author(s). BCR-ABL+acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adults has a poor prognosis with allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) considered the best curative option for suitable patients. We here characterize the curative potential of BH3-mimetics differentially targeting mitochondrial BCL2-family members using a combination therapy approach with dexamethasone and tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting BCR-ABL. In BCR-ABL + ALL BH3-mimetics act by redistribution of mitochondrial activator BIM, which is strongly required for cytotoxicity of the BCL2-specific BH3-mimetic ABT-199, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and dexamethasone. BIM expression is enhanced by dexamethasone and TKIs and both synergize with ABT-199 in BCR-ABL + ALL. Triple combinations with ABT-199, dexamethasone and TKIs efficiently attenuate leukemia progression both in tissue culture and in primary cell xenotransplantation models. Notably, the dasatinib-containing combination led to treatment- and leukemia-free long-term survival in a BCR-ABL + mouse model. Finally, response to BH3-mimetics can be predicted for individual patients in a clinically relevant setting. These data demonstrate curative targeted and chemotherapy-free pharmacotherapy for BCR-ABL + ALL in a preclinical model. Clinical evaluation, in particular for patients not suitable for allogeneic SCT, is warranted.
Author(s): Scherr M, Kirchhoff H, Battmer K, Wohlan K, Lee C-W, Ricke-Hoch M, Erschow S, Law E, Kloos A, Heuser M, Ganser A, Hilfiker-Kleiner D, Heidenreich O, Eder M
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Leukemia
Year: 2019
Volume: 33
Pages: 1313-1323
Online publication date: 13/12/2018
Acceptance date: 07/11/2018
Date deposited: 01/02/2019
ISSN (print): 0887-6924
ISSN (electronic): 1476-5551
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41375-018-0315-6
DOI: 10.1038/s41375-018-0315-6
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