Abstract
Bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) protein inhibitors have been reported as treatment options for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in preclinical models and are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. This work presents a novel potent and selective BET inhibitor (BI 894999), which has recently entered clinical trials (NCT02516553). In preclinical studies, this compound is highly active in AML cell lines, primary patient samples, and xenografts. HEXIM1 is described as an excellent pharmacodynamic biomarker for target engagement in tumors as well as in blood. Mechanistic studies show that BI 894999 targets super-enhancer-regulated oncogenes and other lineage-specific factors, which are involved in the maintenance of the disease state. BI 894999 is active as monotherapy in AML xenografts, and in addition leads to strongly enhanced antitumor effects in combination with CDK9 inhibitors. This treatment combination results in a marked decrease of global p-Ser2 RNA polymerase II levels and leads to rapid induction of apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Together, these data provide a strong rationale for the clinical evaluation of BI 894999 in AML.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
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Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Cell Survival / drug effects
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Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 9 / antagonists & inhibitors
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Down-Regulation
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Drug Synergism
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Drug Therapy, Combination
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Enhancer Elements, Genetic / drug effects*
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Flavonoids / administration & dosage*
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Flavonoids / pharmacology
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Gene Expression Profiling / methods*
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Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
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HL-60 Cells
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Humans
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Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / drug therapy*
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Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / genetics
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Mice
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Piperidines / administration & dosage*
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Piperidines / pharmacology
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Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
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Pyrazines / administration & dosage*
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Pyrazines / pharmacology
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RNA Polymerase II / metabolism
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RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
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Transcription Factors
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Triazoles / administration & dosage*
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Triazoles / pharmacology
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Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
Substances
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Antineoplastic Agents
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Flavonoids
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HEXIM1 protein, human
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Piperidines
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Proteins
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Pyrazines
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RNA-Binding Proteins
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Transcription Factors
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Triazoles
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bromodomain and extra-terminal domain protein, human
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alvocidib
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CDK9 protein, human
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Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 9
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RNA Polymerase II