A Novel In Vitro Model of the Bone Marrow Microenvironment in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Identifies CD44 and Focal Adhesion Kinase as Therapeutic Targets to Reverse Cell Adhesion-Mediated Drug Resistance.

ABSTRACT:

Background/objectives

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive neoplasm. Although most patients respond to induction therapy, they commonly relapse due to recurrent disease in the bone marrow microenvironment (BMME). So, the disruption of the BMME, releasing tumor cells into the peripheral circulation, has therapeutic potential.

Methods

Using both primary donor AML cells and cell lines, we developed an in vitro co-culture model of the AML BMME. We used this model to identify the most effective agent(s) to block AML cell adherence and reverse adhesion-mediated treatment resistance.

Results

We identified that anti-CD44 treatment significantly increased the efficacy of cytarabine. However, some AML cells remained adhered, and transcriptional analysis identified foca

SUBMITTER: Ladikou EE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11719579 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature