Gene expression-based chemical genomics identifies rapamycin as a modulator of MCL1 and glucocorticoid resistance.

Cancer Cell
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

Drug resistance remains a major obstacle to successful cancer treatment. A database of drug-associated gene expression profiles was screened for molecules whose profile overlapped with a gene expression signature of glucocorticoid (GC) sensitivity/resistance in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells. The screen indicated that the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin profile matched the signature of GC sensitivity. We tested the hypothesis that rapamycin would induce GC sensitivity in lymphoid malignancy cells and found that it sensitized to GC-induced apoptosis via modulation of antiapoptotic MCL1. These data indicate that MCL1 is an important regulator of GC-induced apoptosis and that the combination of rapamycin and glucocorticoids has potential utility in lymphoid malignancies. Furthermore, this approach represents a strategy for identification of promising combination therapies for cancer.

Year of Publication
2006
Journal
Cancer Cell
Volume
10
Issue
4
Pages
331-42
Date Published
2006 Oct
ISSN
1535-6108
URL
DOI
10.1016/j.ccr.2006.09.006
PubMed ID
17010674
Links
Grant list
K08 CA92551 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
P01 CA068484 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States