Synergistic Interactions between HDAC and Sirtuin Inhibitors in Human Leukemia Cells
2011

Combining Sirtuin and HDAC Inhibitors to Treat Leukemia

publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Cea Michele, Soncini Debora, Fruscione Floriana, Raffaghello Lizzia, Garuti Anna, Emionite Laura, Moran Eva, Magnone Mirko, Zoppoli Gabriele, Reverberi Daniele, Caffa Irene, Salis Annalisa, Cagnetta Antonia, Bergamaschi Micaela, Casciaro Salvatore, Pierri Ivana, Damonte Gianluca, Ansaldi Filippo, Gobbi Marco, Pistoia Vito, Ballestrero Alberto, Patrone Franco, Bruzzone Santina, Nencioni Alessio

Primary Institution: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

Hypothesis

The study investigates the antileukemic activity of sirtuin inhibitors and the NAD+-lowering drug FK866, both alone and in combination with traditional HDAC inhibitors.

Conclusion

Combining sirtuin inhibitors with HDAC inhibitors results in synergistic antileukemic activity that could be therapeutically exploited.

Supporting Evidence

  • Sirtuin inhibitors and FK866 synergistically enhanced HDAC inhibitor activity in leukemia cells.
  • HDAC inhibitors induced upregulation of Bax, sensitizing leukemia cells to apoptosis.
  • Healthy leukocytes and hematopoietic progenitors were not affected by the drug combinations.

Takeaway

This study shows that using two types of drugs together can help kill leukemia cells better than using them alone.

Methodology

Primary leukemia cells, leukemia cell lines, healthy leukocytes, and hematopoietic progenitors were treated with sirtuin inhibitors and HDAC inhibitors, and cell death was quantified using flow cytometry.

Limitations

The study does not explore the long-term effects of the drug combinations or their efficacy in vivo.

Participant Demographics

The study involved primary leukemia cells from patients and healthy leukocytes.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0022739

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