Chemical genomic screening reveals synergism between parthenolide and inhibitors of the PI-3 kinase and mTOR pathways

Duane C. Hassane, Siddhartha Sen, Mohammad Minhajuddin, Randall M. Rossi, Cheryl A. Corbett, Marlene Balys, Liping Wei, Peter A. Crooks, Monica L. Guzman, Craig T. Jordan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

71 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have previously shown that the plantderived compound parthenolide (PTL) can impair the survival and leukemogenic activity of primary human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) stem cells. However, despite the activity of this agent, PTL also induces cellular protective responses that likely function to reduce its overall cytotoxicity. Thus, we sought to identify pharmacologic agents that enhance the antileukemic potential of PTL. Toward this goal, we used the gene expression signature of PTL to identify compounds that inhibit cytoprotective responses by performing chemical genomic screening of the Connectivity Map database. This screen identified compounds acting along the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and mammalian target of rapamycin pathways. Compared with single agent treatment, exposure of AML cells to the combination of PTL and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors significantly decreased viability of AML cells and reduced tumor burden in vitro and in murine xenotransplantation models. Taken together, our data show that rational drug combinations can be identified using chemical genomic screening strategies and that inhibition of cytoprotective functions can enhance the eradication of primary human AML cells.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5983-5990
Number of pages8
JournalBlood
Volume116
Issue number26
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 23 2010
Externally publishedYes

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