NF-kappaB activation mediates resistance to IFN beta in MLL-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Leukemia. 2010 Apr;24(4):806-12. doi: 10.1038/leu.2010.2. Epub 2010 Feb 4.

Abstract

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) harboring the t(4;11) translocation is associated with a very poor prognosis; innovative treatment strategies are required to improve the current 5-year survival rate of 30-40%. Interferon beta (IFN beta) has shown promise in the treatment of both solid and hematologic malignancies, although the short half-life and toxicity associated with high doses have limited its clinical utility. To overcome these limitations, we investigated the effect of continuous, gene transfer-mediated delivery of IFN beta using adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated expression, on ALL cells with the t(4;11) translocation. We found that this method of IFN beta delivery resulted in complete remission of leukemia in a murine model. However, leukemic cells eventually became resistant to IFN beta and relapse was observed. Activation of NF-kappaB was identified as a mechanism for IFN beta resistance, and inhibition of NF-kappaB activity in resistant cells sensitized cells to IFN beta. IFN beta combined with agents that inhibit NF-kappaB could have therapeutic potential in the treatment of children with mixed lineage leukemia subtype ALL.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11 / genetics
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4 / genetics
  • Dependovirus / genetics
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic*
  • Gene Rearrangement*
  • Humans
  • Interferon-beta / pharmacology*
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / genetics
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, SCID
  • Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein / genetics*
  • Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein / metabolism
  • NF-kappa B / genetics
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / genetics
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Translocation, Genetic
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • NF-kappa B
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein
  • Interferon-beta
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases