Mevastatin-induced apoptosis and growth suppression in U266 myeloma cells

Statins have been used successfully in the treatment of hypercholesterinaemia. Moreover, in vitro studies have shown that statins can trigger apoptosis in a variety of tumor cell lines. In the present study we analysed the effect of mevastatin--a novel inhibitor of HMG-COA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme of the mevalonate pathway--on U266 human myeloma cells. Apoptosis induced by mevastatin was associated with increased caspase activity and depolarisation of the mitochondrial membrane. Expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein was down-regulated, with no change in Bax or Bcl-XL protein production. The mitochondrial program was supported by caspase-8 and cleaved-Bid activity. None of the antibodies neutralizing the death-ligand/death-receptor pathway--TRAIL-R2Fc, anti-TNF-alpha, anti-FASL(NOK-1)--influenced the mevastatin-induced apoptosis. Mevastatin also stimulated shedding of syndecan-1 from the surface of myeloma cells. The apoptosis inducing effect of mevastatin could be considered as a potential participant in a complex antitumor protocol.