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Published on: May 15, 2019
Romidepsin and belinostat synergize the antineoplastic effect of bortezomib in mantle cell lymphoma
Luca Paoluzzi1, Luigi Scotto, Enrica Marchi
1Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
Purpose:
Romidepsin and belinostat are inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACI). HDACIs are known to induce cell death in malignant cells through multiple mechanisms, including upregulation of death receptors and induction of cell cycle arrest. They are also known to be prodifferentiating. Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma characterized by the t(11;14)(q13;q32) translocation leading to the overexpression of cyclin D1.
Experimental Design:
Assays for cytotoxicty including mathematical analysis for synergism, flow-cytometry, immunoblottings, and a xenograft severe combined immunodeficient beige mouse model were used to explore the in vitro and in vivo activity of romidepsin and/or belinostat alone or in combination with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in MCL.
Results:
In vitro, romidepsin and belinostat exhibited concentration-dependent cytotoxicity against a panel of MCL cell lines. Both HDACI showed strong synergism when combined with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in MCL. An HDACI plus bortezomib also induced potent mitochondrial membrane depolarization and apoptosis, whereas no significant apoptosis was observed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors with the combination. These events were associated with a decrease in cyclin D1 and Bcl-X(L), and an increase in accumulation of acetylated histone H3, acetylated alpha-tubulin, and Noxa in cell lines. In a severe combined immunodeficient beige mouse model of MCL, the addition of belinostat to bortezomib enhanced efficacy compared with either drug alone.
Conclusions:
Collectively, these data strongly suggest that HDACI such as romidepsin or belinostat in combination with a proteasome inhibitor could represent a novel and rationale platform for the treatment of MCL.
Insights
Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACI) like romidepsin and belinostat show promise for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) treatment. Combining HDACI with bortezomib demonstrated synergistic cytotoxicity and efficacy in preclinical models.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma characterized by cyclin D1 overexpression.
- Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACI) induce cancer cell death and differentiation.
- HDACI mechanisms include upregulating death receptors and cell cycle arrest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of romidepsin and belinostat, alone and in combination with bortezomib, in MCL.
- To explore the synergistic potential of HDACI and proteasome inhibitors in MCL treatment.
Main Methods:
- Cytotoxicity assays with mathematical synergism analysis.
- Flow cytometry and immunoblotting for mechanistic studies.
- Evaluation in a severe combined immunodeficient beige mouse xenograft model.
Main Results:
- Romidepsin and belinostat exhibited concentration-dependent cytotoxicity against MCL cell lines.
- HDACI combined with bortezomib showed strong in vitro synergism and induced apoptosis in MCL cells but not in healthy donor cells.
- Combination therapy decreased cyclin D1 and Bcl-X(L) while increasing acetylated histone H3, acetylated alpha-tubulin, and Noxa.
- In vivo, belinostat plus bortezomib enhanced efficacy in an MCL xenograft model.
Conclusions:
- HDACI, such as romidepsin or belinostat, in combination with proteasome inhibitors represent a rational and novel therapeutic strategy for MCL.
- This combination warrants further clinical investigation for MCL treatment.
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