Isoform-selective phosphoinositide 3'-kinase inhibitors inhibit CXCR4 signaling and overcome stromal cell-mediated drug resistance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a novel therapeutic approach

Blood. 2009 May 28;113(22):5549-57. doi: 10.1182/blood-2008-06-165068. Epub 2009 Mar 24.

Abstract

Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are among the most frequently activated signaling pathways in cancer. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), signals from the microenvironment are critical for expansion of the malignant B cells, and cause constitutive activation of PI3Ks. CXCR4 is a key receptor for CLL cell migration and adhesion to marrow stromal cells (MSCs). Because of the importance of CXCR4 and PI3Ks for CLL-microenvironment cross-talk, we investigated the activity of novel, isoform-selective PI3K inhibitors that target different isoforms of the p110-kDa subunit. Inhibition with p110alpha inhibitors (PIK-90 and PI-103) resulted in a significant reduction of chemotaxis and actin polymerization to CXCL12 and reduced migration beneath MSC (pseudoemperipolesis). Western blot and reverse phase protein array analyses consistently demonstrated that PIK-90 and PI-103 inhibited phosphorylation of Akt and S6, whereas p110delta or p110beta/p110delta inhibitors were less effective. In suspension and MSC cocultures, PI-103 and PIK-90 were potent inducers of CLL cell apoptosis. Moreover, these p110alpha inhibitors enhanced the cytotoxicity of fludarabine and reversed the protective effect of MSC on fludarabine-induced apoptosis. Collectively, our data demonstrate that p110alpha inhibitors antagonize stromal cell-derived migration, survival, and drug-resistance signals and therefore provide a rational to explore the therapeutic activity of these promising agents in CLL.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • 1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase / metabolism
  • Actin Cytoskeleton / drug effects
  • Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Apoptosis
  • Chemokine CXCL12 / administration & dosage
  • Chemokine CXCL12 / pharmacology
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / drug effects
  • Chromones / pharmacology
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Furans / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Isoenzymes / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy*
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / physiopathology
  • Morpholines / pharmacology
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / administration & dosage
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Stromal Cells / drug effects*
  • Stromal Cells / physiology
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • CXCR4 protein, human
  • Chemokine CXCL12
  • Chromones
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Furans
  • Isoenzymes
  • Morpholines
  • PI103
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Pyridines
  • Pyrimidines
  • Receptors, CXCR4
  • 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one
  • 1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase