Epigenetic targeting of Waldenström macroglobulinemia cells with BET inhibitors synergizes with BCL2 or histone deacetylase inhibition

Epigenomics. 2021 Jan;13(2):129-144. doi: 10.2217/epi-2020-0189. Epub 2020 Dec 24.

Abstract

Aim: Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a low-grade B-cell lymphoma characterized by overproduction of monoclonal IgM. To date, there are no therapies that provide a cure for WM patients, and therefore, it is important to explore new therapies. Little is known about the efficiency of epigenetic targeting in WM. Materials & methods: WM cells were treated with BET inhibitors (JQ1 and I-BET-762) and venetoclax, panobinostat or ibrutinib. Results: BET inhibition reduces growth of WM cells, with little effect on survival. This finding was enhanced by combination therapy, with panobinostat (LBH589) showing the highest synergy. Conclusion: Our studies identify BET inhibitors as effective therapy for WM, and these inhibitors can be enhanced in combination with BCL2 or histone deacetylase inhibition.

Keywords: BET inhibitors; Waldenström macroglobulinemia; epigenetics; panobinostat; venetoclax.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenine / analogs & derivatives
  • Adenine / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / drug effects*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / genetics
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Histone Deacetylases / genetics
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / genetics
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Piperidines / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / genetics*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics*
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology
  • Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / drug therapy*
  • Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / genetics
  • Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • BCL2 protein, human
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • DNER protein, human
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Piperidines
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Sulfonamides
  • ibrutinib
  • Histone Deacetylases
  • Adenine
  • venetoclax