The role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-δ in the immunomodulatory effects of lenalidomide in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Blood. 2011 Apr 21;117(16):4323-7. doi: 10.1182/blood-2010-11-315705. Epub 2011 Mar 4.

Abstract

In patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), lenalidomide can promote humoral immune responses but also induces a distinct disease-specific toxicity of tumor flare and cytokine release. These CLL-specific events result from increased expression of costimulatory molecules on B cells. Here we demonstrate that lenalidomide activation of CLL cells depends on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase p110δ (PI3K-δ) pathway. Inhibition of PI3K-δ signaling by the PI3K-δ-inhibiting drug, CAL-101, or by siRNA knockdown of p110δ, abrogates CLL cell activation, costimulatory molecule expression, and vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor gene expression that is induced by lenalidomide. In addition, CAL-101 attenuates lenalidomide-mediated increases in immunoglobulin M production by normal B cells. Collectively, these data demonstrate the importance of PI3K-δ signaling for lenalidomide immune modulation. These findings may guide development of strategies for the treatment of CLL that combine lenalidomide with CAL-101, with other inhibitors of the PI3K-δ pathway, or with other agents that target downstream kinases of this signaling pathway.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / immunology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Class Ia Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase / genetics
  • Class Ia Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase / metabolism*
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / immunology*
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology
  • Lenalidomide
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy*
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / enzymology*
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / immunology
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors*
  • Purines / pharmacology
  • Quinazolinones / pharmacology
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Thalidomide / analogs & derivatives*
  • Thalidomide / immunology
  • Thalidomide / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Purines
  • Quinazolinones
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Thalidomide
  • Class Ia Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase
  • Lenalidomide
  • idelalisib