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Updated: Oct 25, 2025

Methods for Evaluating the Role of c-Fos and Dusp1 in Oncogene Dependence
Published on: January 7, 2019
Thiostrepton inhibits growth and induces apoptosis by targeting FoxM1/SKP2/MTH1 axis in B-precursor acute
Shilpa Kuttikrishnan1,2, Kirti S Prabhu1, Abdul Q Khan1
1Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
Abstract:
Forkhead box M1 (FoxM1) is a transcription factor that plays an important role in the etiology of many cancers, however, its role has not been elucidated in B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-pre-ALL). In the current study, we showed that the downregulation of FoxM1 by its inhibitor thiostrepton inhibited cell viability and induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in a panel of B-pre-ALL cell lines. Thiostrepton led downregulation of FoxM1 accompanied by decreased expression of Aurora kinase A, B, matrix metalloproteinases, and oncogene SKP2 as well as MTH1. Downregulation of the FoxM1/SKP2/MTH1 axis led to increase in the Bax/Bcl2 ratio and suppression of antiapoptotic proteins. Thiostrepton-mediated apoptosis was prevented by N-acetyl cysteine, a scavenger of reactive oxygen species. Co-treatment of B-pre-ALL with subtoxic doses of thiostrepton and bortezomib potentiated the proapoptotic action. Altogether, our results suggest that targeting FoxM1expression could be an attractive strategy for the treatment of B-pre-ALL.
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