The therapeutic potential of targeting PI3K/AKT/PTEN signalling in B-cell malignancies remains attractive. Whilst PI3K-α/δ inhibitors demonstrate clinical benefit in certain B-cell lymphomas, PI3K signalling inhibitors have been inadequate in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in part, due to treatment related toxicities. Clinically, AKT inhibitors exhibit a differentiated tolerability profile offering an alternative approach for treating patients with B-cell malignancies. To explore how AKT inhibition complements other potential therapeutics in the treatment of DLBCL patients, an in vitro combination screen was conducted across a panel of DLCBL cell lines. The AKT inhibitor, capivasertib, in combination with the BCL-2 inhibitor, venetoclax, produced notable therapeutic benefit in preclinical models of DLBCL. Capivasertib and venetoclax rapidly induced caspase and PARP cleavage in GCB-DLBCL PTEN wildtype cell lines and those harbouring PTEN mutations or reduced PTEN protein, driving prolonged tumour growth inhibition in DLBCL cell line and patient derived xenograft lymphoma models. The addition of the rituximab further deepened the durability of capivasertib and venetoclax responses in a RCHOP refractory DLBCL in vivo models. These findings provide preclinical evidence for the rational treatment combination of AKT and BCL-2 inhibitors using capivasertib and venetoclax respectively alongside anti-CD20 antibody supplementation for treatment of patients with DLBCL.

• MeSH
• apoptóza účinky léků   MeSH
• bicyklické sloučeniny heterocyklické * farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• difúzní velkobuněčný B-lymfom * farmakoterapie   patologie   MeSH
• fosfohydroláza PTEN metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• myši SCID MeSH
• myši MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• proliferace buněk účinky léků   MeSH
• protokoly protinádorové kombinované chemoterapie * farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• protoonkogenní proteiny c-akt * metabolismus   MeSH
• protoonkogenní proteiny c-bcl-2 * antagonisté a inhibitory   metabolismus   MeSH
• pyrimidiny * farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• pyrroly farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• rituximab farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• sulfonamidy * farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• xenogenní modely - testy protinádorové aktivity * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• BCL2 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• bicyklické sloučeniny heterocyklické * MeSH
• capivasertib MeSH Prohlížeč
• fosfohydroláza PTEN MeSH
• protoonkogenní proteiny c-akt * MeSH
• protoonkogenní proteiny c-bcl-2 * MeSH
• pyrimidiny * MeSH
• pyrroly MeSH
• rituximab MeSH
• sulfonamidy * MeSH
• venetoclax MeSH Prohlížeč

The pro-survival MCL1 protein is overexpressed in many cancers, including B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (B-NHL). S63845 is a highly specific inhibitor of MCL1. We analyzed mechanisms of sensitivity/resistance to S63845 in preclinical models of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Burkitt lymphoma. Annexin V-based cytotoxic assays, Western blot analysis, protein co-immunoprecipitation, and cell clones with manipulated expression of BCL2 family proteins were used to analyze mechanisms of sensitivity to S63845. Experimental in vivo therapy with S63845 and/or venetoclax was performed using patient-derived xenografts (PDX) of treatment-refractory B-NHL. A subset of DLBCL and majority of Burkitt lymphoma cell lines were sensitive to S63845. The level of BCL2 protein expression was the major determinant of resistance to S63845: BCL2 serves as a buffer for pro-apoptotic proteins released from MCL1 upon exposure to S63845. While BCL2-negative lymphomas were effectively eliminated by single-agent S63845, its combination with venetoclax was synthetically lethal in BCL2-positive PDX models. Concerning MCL1, both, the level of MCL1 protein expression, and its occupational status represent key factors mediating sensitivity to S63845. In contrast to MCL1-BIM/BAK1 complexes that prime lymphoma cells for S63845-mediated apoptosis, MCL1-NOXA complexes are associated with S63845 resistance. In conclusion, MCL1 represents a critical survival molecule for most Burkitt lymphomas and a subset of BCL2-negative DLBCLs. The level of BCL2 and MCL1 expression and occupational status of MCL1 belong to the key modulators of sensitivity/resistance to S63845. Co-treatment with venetoclax can overcome BCL2-mediated resistance to S63845, and enhance efficacy of MCL1 inhibitors in BCL2-positive aggressive B-NHL.

• MeSH
• apoptóza MeSH
• Burkittův lymfom genetika   mortalita   MeSH
• difúzní velkobuněčný B-lymfom genetika   mortalita   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• protein MCL-1 metabolismus   MeSH
• protoonkogenní proteiny c-bcl-2 metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• BCL2 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• MCL1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• protein MCL-1 MeSH
• protoonkogenní proteiny c-bcl-2 MeSH

Hematologic malignancies (HM) comprise diverse cancers of lymphoid and myeloid origin, including lymphomas (approx. 40%), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL, approx. 15%), multiple myeloma (MM, approx. 15%), acute myeloid leukemia (AML, approx. 10%), and many other diseases. Despite considerable improvement in treatment options and survival parameters in the new millennium, many patients with HM still develop chemotherapy‑refractory diseases and require re-treatment. Because frontline therapies for the majority of HM (except for CLL) are still largely based on classical cytostatics, the relapses are often associated with defects in DNA damage response (DDR) pathways and anti-apoptotic blocks exemplified, respectively, by mutations or deletion of the TP53 tumor suppressor, and overexpression of anti-apoptotic proteins of the B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) family. BCL2 homology 3 (BH3) mimetics represent a novel class of pro-apoptotic anti-cancer agents with a unique mode of action-direct targeting of mitochondria independently of TP53 gene aberrations. Consequently, BH3 mimetics can effectively eliminate even non-dividing malignant cells with adverse molecular cytogenetic alterations. Venetoclax, the nanomolar inhibitor of BCL2 anti-apoptotic protein has been approved for the therapy of CLL and AML. Numerous venetoclax-based combinatorial treatment regimens, next-generation BCL2 inhibitors, and myeloid cell leukemia 1 (MCL1) protein inhibitors, which are another class of BH3 mimetics with promising preclinical results, are currently being tested in several clinical trials in patients with diverse HM. These pivotal trials will soon answer critical questions and concerns about these innovative agents regarding not only their anti-tumor efficacy but also potential side effects, recommended dosages, and the optimal length of therapy as well as identification of reliable biomarkers of sensitivity or resistance. Effective harnessing of the full therapeutic potential of BH3 mimetics is a critical mission as it may directly translate into better management of the aggressive forms of HM and could lead to significantly improved survival parameters and quality of life in patients with urgent medical needs.

• Klíčová slova
• BH3 mimetics, apoptosis, biomarkers, hematologic malignancies, resistance, targeted therapy, venetoclax,
• MeSH
• apoptóza fyziologie   MeSH
• bicyklické sloučeniny heterocyklické terapeutické užití   MeSH
• biologické markery metabolismus   MeSH
• hematologické nádory farmakoterapie   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádorový supresorový protein p53 metabolismus   MeSH
• poškození DNA účinky léků   genetika   MeSH
• sulfonamidy terapeutické užití   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• bicyklické sloučeniny heterocyklické MeSH
• biologické markery MeSH
• nádorový supresorový protein p53 MeSH
• sulfonamidy MeSH
• venetoclax MeSH Prohlížeč

The ability to inhibit mitochondrial apoptosis is a hallmark of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (B-NHL). Activation of mitochondrial apoptosis is tightly controlled by members of B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) family proteins via protein-protein interactions. Altering the balance between anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins leads to apoptosis evasion and extended survival of malignant cells. The pro-survival BCL-2 proteins: B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2 (BCL-2/BCL2), myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL-1/MCL1) and B-cell lymphoma-extra large (BCL-XL/BCL2L1) are frequently (over)expressed in B-NHL, which plays a crucial role in lymphoma pathogenesis, disease progression, and drug resistance. The efforts to develop inhibitors of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins have been underway for several decades and molecules targeting anti-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins are in various stages of clinical testing. Venetoclax is a highly specific BCL-2 inhibitor, which has been approved by the US Food and Drug Agency (FDA) for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and is in advanced clinical testing in other types of B-NHL. In this review, we summarize the biology of BCL-2 proteins and the mechanisms of how these proteins are deregulated in distinct B-NHL subtypes. We describe the mechanism of action of BH3-mimetics and the status of their clinical development in B-NHL. Finally, we summarize the mechanisms of sensitivity/resistance to venetoclax.

• Klíčová slova
• B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2 (BCL-2), apoptosis, non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL), venetoclax,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) are lymphoid tumors that arise by a complex process of malignant transformation of mature lymphocytes during various stages of differentiation. The WHO classification of NHL recognizes more than 90 nosological units with peculiar pathophysiology and prognosis. Since the end of the 20th century, our increasing knowledge of the molecular biology of lymphoma subtypes led to the identification of novel druggable targets and subsequent testing and clinical approval of novel anti-lymphoma agents, which translated into significant improvement of patients' outcome. Despite immense progress, our effort to control or even eradicate malignant lymphoma clones has been frequently hampered by the development of drug resistance with ensuing unmet medical need to cope with relapsed or treatment-refractory disease. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie inherent or acquired drug resistance might lead to the design of more effective front-line treatment algorithms based on reliable predictive markers or personalized salvage therapy, tailored to overcome resistant clones, by targeting weak spots of lymphoma cells resistant to previous line(s) of therapy. This review focuses on the history and recent advances in our understanding of molecular mechanisms of resistance to genotoxic and targeted agents used in clinical practice for the therapy of NHL.

• Klíčová slova
• chemotherapy, drug resistance, non-Hodgkin lymphomas, targeted agents,
• MeSH
• chemorezistence * MeSH
• individualizovaná medicína MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádorové biomarkery metabolismus   MeSH
• nehodgkinský lymfom * klasifikace   metabolismus   patologie   terapie   MeSH
• protinádorové látky škodlivé účinky   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• záchranná terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• nádorové biomarkery MeSH
• protinádorové látky MeSH