Arsenic Trioxide Abrogate MN1 Mediated RA-Resistance in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

Introduction: Described as a well know marker of worse prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), MN1 overexpression has been associated with inv(16) or EVI1 overexpression (Heuser et al., Blood 2007). The promoter region of the MN1 gene has Retinoic Acid Response Elements (RAREs), and higher levels of MN1 expression have been associated with decreased response to retinoic acid (RA) in vitro. Nevertheless, in the context of acute promyelocytic leukemia, little is known about MN1 gene expression and functionality in vivo. Aims: Here, we investigated the effects of in vitro treatment with RA plus arsenic trioxide (ATO) in APL cell lines and primary blasts overexpressing MN1. Additionally, we …

Slit-Robo Pathway Is Clinically Relevant and May Represent a Potential Target in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

Abstract Background: The Slit-Robo pathway has been shown to participate in the pathogenesis of several malignant diseases in addition to its physiologic role during the development of the central nervous system (CNS). However, the relevance of the Slit-Robo pathway in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is presently unknown. We investigated the status of the Slit-Robo pathway in APL following the recent demonstration by Amodeo et al (CellRep. 2017) that the PML protein induces neural stem/progenitor cells migration by inhibiting the SLIT2 gene, which was associated with an increased presence of H3K27me3 in the SLIT2 promotor region. Moreover, sensitivity towards the PML-targeting drug arsen…

Metformintreatment Overcomes ATRA-Resistance in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia and Increases FOXO3A Expression

Abstract Introduction: FOXO3A is a transcription factor shown to be involved in all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-induced granulocytic differentiation and apoptosis in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Its biological activity may be significantly enhanced upon metformin, raising the possibility that ATRA and Metformin may act synergistically; which could be useful to overcome ATRA resistance. Despite progress in APL treatment, approximately 10-15% of patients will relapse after treatment with ATRA and anthracyclines and frequently present with ATRA resistance. Relapsed patients respond well to arsenic trioxide (ATO) treatment, but the cost of ATO is a significant barrier in many countries. A…

The experience of the International Consortium on Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia in monitoring minimal residual disease in acute promyelocytic leukaemia

Clinical and Functional Studies Reveal That TP73 Isoforms Levels Are Associated with Prognosis and RA-Resistance in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

Background: TP73 isoforms gained particular relevance in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) since Bernasola et al (JEM. 2004) demonstrated that TAp73 was directly regulated by the PML protein in the nuclear body. The isoforms differ in their transcriptional activity, with those lacking domains in the N-terminal part of the protein exerting a dominant negative effect on TP73 function. In a retrospective analysis of patients with APL treated in ICAPL study, Lucena-Araujo et al (Blood 2015) demonstrated the association between higher ΔNp73/TAp73 ratio values and poor clinical outcome. However,there is a diversity of TP73 isoforms and specially those lacking N-terminal domains (e.g.ΔEx2p73, ΔEx…