The new iodoacetamidobenzofuran derivative TR120 decreases STAT5 expression and induces antitumor effects in imatinib-sensitive and imatinib-resistant BCR-ABL-expressing leukemia cells

Anticancer Drugs. 2013 Apr;24(4):384-93. doi: 10.1097/CAD.0b013e32835e64a0.

Abstract

The identification of novel compounds modulating the expression/activity of molecular targets downstream to BCR-ABL could be a new approach in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemias (CMLs) resistant to imatinib or other BCR-ABL-targeted molecules. Recently, we synthesized a new class of substituted 2-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-2-N,N-dimethylamino-benzo[b]furans, and among these 3-iodoacetylamino-6-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl(3,5-trimethoxyphenyl)methanone (TR120) showed marked cytotoxic activity in BCR-ABL-expressing cells. Interestingly, TR120 was more potent than imatinib in cell growth inhibition and apoptosis induction in both BCR-ABL-expressing K562 and KCL22 cells. Moreover, it showed antitumor activity in imatinib-resistant K562-R and KCL22-R cells at concentrations similar to those active in the respective sensitive cells. Further, TR120 induced a marked decrease in signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) expression in K562 cells. Consistent with this effect, it determined a block of cells in the G0-G1 phase of the cell cycle, a decrease in the level of cyclin D1, and a reduction in Bcl-xL expression; however, it did not cause modifications in the Bcl-2 level. Of interest, TR120 had synergistic effects when used in combination with imatinib in both sensitive and resistant cells. Considering that STAT5 is a BCR-ABL molecular target that plays a key role in the pathogenesis of CML as well as in BCR-ABL-mediated resistance to apoptosis, TR120 could potentially be a useful novel agent in the treatment of imatinib-resistant CML.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Benzamides / pharmacology
  • Benzofurans
  • Benzophenones
  • Bone Marrow Cells / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor / metabolism
  • Colony-Forming Units Assay
  • Cyclin D1 / biosynthesis
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Drug Synergism
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / biosynthesis
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / genetics
  • G1 Phase / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Genes, bcl-1
  • Genes, bcl-2
  • Humans
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • K562 Cells / drug effects
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / pathology*
  • Necrosis
  • Neoplasm Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Neoplasm Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Piperazines / pharmacology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / biosynthesis
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology
  • Resting Phase, Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor / biosynthesis*
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • bcl-X Protein / biosynthesis
  • bcl-X Protein / genetics

Substances

  • 3-iodoacetylamino-6-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl(3,5-trimethoxyphenyl)methanone
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • BCL2L1 protein, human
  • Benzamides
  • Benzofurans
  • Benzophenones
  • CCND1 protein, human
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Piperazines
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Pyrimidines
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor
  • bcl-X Protein
  • Cyclin D1
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl