Keeshan, K. , Mills, K.I., Cotter, T.G. and McKenna, S.L. (2001) Elevated Bcr-Abl expression levels are sufficient for a haematopoietic cell line to acquire a drug-resistant phenotype. Leukemia, 15(12), pp. 1823-1833.
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Abstract
A characteristic feature of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is the inevitable advancement from a treatable chronic phase to a fatal, drug-resistant stage referred to as blast crisis. The molecular mechanisms responsible for this disease transition remain unknown. As increased expression of Bcr-Abl has been associated with blast crisis CML, we have established transfectants in 32D cells that express low and high levels of Bcr-Abl, and assessed their drug sensitivity. Cells with high Bcr-Abl expression levels are resistant to conventional cytotoxic drugs, and also require higher levels of STI571 (an inhibitor of Bcr-Abl), to induce cell death. Co-treatment with cytotoxic drugs and STI571 increased the sensitivity of the drug-resistant cells. Despite the drug-resistant phenotype, high Bcr-Abl levels concomitantly increased the expression of p53, p21, Bax and down-regulated Bcl-2. These cells maintain a survival advantage irrespective of a reduced proportion of cycling cells and the pro-apoptotic shift in gene expression. In addition, the level of Bcr-Abl expression (high or low) does not alter the growth factor independence and elevated Bcl-xL expression observed. Our study indicates that drug resistance can be primarily attained by increased Bcr-Abl expression, and highlights the potential of therapy which combines STI571 with conventional cytotoxic drugs.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Keeshan, Dr Karen |
| Authors: | Keeshan, K., Mills, K.I., Cotter, T.G., and McKenna, S.L. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences |
| Journal Name: | Leukemia |
| ISSN: | 0887-6924 |
| Related URLs: |
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