The HDAC inhibitor panobinostat (LBH589) exerts in vivo anti-leukaemic activity against MLL-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and involves the RNF20/RNF40/WAC-H2B ubiquitination axis

Leukemia. 2018 Feb;32(2):323-331. doi: 10.1038/leu.2017.216. Epub 2017 Jul 10.

Abstract

MLL-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) represents an aggressive malignancy in infants (<1 year of age), associated with poor outcome. Current treatment intensification is not further possible, and novel therapy strategies are needed. Notably, MLL-rearranged ALL is characterised by a strongly deregulated epigenome and shows sensitivity to epigenetic perturbators. Here we demonstrate the in vivo efficacy of the histone deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat (LBH589) using xenograft mouse models of MLL-rearranged ALL. Panobinostat monotherapy showed strong anti-leukaemic effects, extending survival and reducing overall disease burden. Comprehensive molecular analyses in vitro showed that this anti-leukaemic activity involves depletion of H2B ubiquitination via suppression of the RNF20/RNF40/WAC E3 ligase complex; a pivotal pathway for MLL-rearranged leukaemic maintenance. Knockdown of WAC phenocopied loss of H2B ubiquitination and concomitant cell death induction. These combined data demonstrate that panobinostat cross-inhibits multiple epigenetic pathways, ultimately contributing to its highly efficacious targeting of MLL-rearranged ALL.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Animals
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Death / genetics
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / drug effects
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / genetics
  • Gene Rearrangement / drug effects*
  • Gene Rearrangement / genetics
  • Heterografts / drug effects
  • Heterografts / metabolism
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Histone Deacetylases / metabolism
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / genetics*
  • Histones / genetics
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein / genetics*
  • Panobinostat / pharmacology*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / genetics
  • Ubiquitination / drug effects*
  • Ubiquitination / genetics

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • Histones
  • KMT2A protein, human
  • WAC protein, human
  • Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein
  • Panobinostat
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase
  • RNF20 protein, human
  • RNF40 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • Histone Deacetylases