A novel gallium compound synergistically enhances bortezomib-induced apoptosis in mantle cell lymphoma cells

Combination chemotherapy forms the backbone of cancer treatment. There is a need for new drug combinations for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Herein, we show that gallium maltolate, a novel gallium compound, synergizes with bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, to induce cell death in MCL Granta cells. Cells exposed to either agent displayed caspase-3 activation, a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and a decrease in chymotrypsin-like activity. These effects were increased with both agents in combination. Our results show for the first time that the proteasome may be a target for gallium maltolate and suggest that the therapeutic potential of combination bortezomib and gallium maltolate warrants further investigation.