Therapeutic inhibition of Fc?RIIb signaling targets leukemic stem cells in chronic myeloid leukemia.

ABSTRACT: Despite the successes achieved with molecular targeted inhibition of the oncogenic driver Bcr-Abl in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), the majority of patients still require lifelong tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. This is primarily caused by resisting leukemic stem cells (LSCs), which prevent achievement of treatment-free remission in all patients. Here we describe the ITIM (immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif)-containing Fc gamma receptor IIb (Fc?RIIb, CD32b) for being critical in LSC resistance and show that targeting Fc?RIIb downstream signaling, by using a Food and Drug Administration-approved BTK inhibitor, provides a successful therapeutic approach. First, we identified Fc?RIIb upregulation in primary CML stem cells. Fc?RIIb depletion caused reduced serial re-plaiting efficiency and cell proliferation in malignant cells. Fc?RIIb targeting in both a transgenic and retroviral CML mouse model provided in vivo evidence for successful LSC reduction. Subsequently, we identified BTK as a main downstream mediator and targeting the Bcr-Abl-Fc?RIIb-BTK axis in primary CML CD34⁺ cells using ibrutinib, in combination with standard TKI therapy, significantly increased apoptosis in quiescent CML stem cells thereby contributing to the eradication of LSCs.. As a potential curative therapeutic approach, we therefore suggest combining Bcr-Abl TKI therapy along with BTK inhibition.

SUBMITTER: Parting O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7515845 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature