Publication Type Academic Article
Authors Wen J, Cheng H, Feng Y, Rice L, Liu S, Mo A, Huang J, Zu Y, Ballon D, Chang C
Journal Br J Haematol
Volume 140
Issue 2
Pagination 169-80
Date Published 01/01/2008
ISSN 1365-2141
Keywords Antineoplastic Agents, Arsenicals, Multiple Myeloma, Oxides, p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
Abstract The resistance to arsenic trioxide (ATO) treatment is relatively common (55-80%) in multiple myeloma patients. This study found that ATO at clinically achievable concentrations (2-7 mumol/l) activated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in both myeloma cell lines and primary myeloma cells, a finding not previously well-documented in myeloma cells. Inhibition of p38 MAPK activation by pharmacological inhibitors (SB203580) or downregulation of p38 MAPK by siRNA significantly increased the apoptosis and/or growth inhibition induced by ATO treatment in myeloma cells. Combination of ATO and p38 MAPK inhibition abolished the interleukin-6 enhanced protection of myeloma cells against ATO treatment. The ATO-resistant cell line developed in our laboratory showed an increase in p38 MAPK activation. The increase of apoptosis by the combination of ATO and SB203580 was accompanied by the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-8 suggesting that both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways are involved. Additionally, the p38 MAPK activation by ATO was associated with increased phosphorylation and upregulated expression of Heat shock protein 27. These results suggest that ATO-induced p38 MAPK activation plays an important role in the resistance to ATO in myeloma cells and that p38 MAPK inhibition may overcome resistance to ATO treatment in myeloma patients.
DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2007.06895.x
PubMed ID 18173754
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