American Association for Cancer Research
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Figure S6 from Statin-induced Mitochondrial Priming Sensitizes Multiple Myeloma Cells to BCL2 and MCL-1 Inhibitors

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posted on 2023-12-08, 14:20 authored by Dennis Juarez, Roberta Buono, Shannon M. Matulis, Vikas A. Gupta, Madeleine Duong, Jacob Yudiono, Madhuri Paul, Sharmila Mallya, Grace Diep, Peter Hsin, Alexander Lu, Sang Mi Suh, Vy M. Dong, Andrew W. Roberts, Joel D. Leverson, Muhammad Jalaluddin, Zhuangzhuang Liu, Orlando F. Bueno, Lawrence H. Boise, David A. Fruman

Supplementary Figure 6 contains viability data from cells treated with the GGPP synthase inhibitor TH-Z145

Funding

HHS | National Institutes of Health (NIH)

American Cancer Society (ACS)

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS)

Paula and Rodger Riney Family Foundation

History

ARTICLE ABSTRACT

The BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax promotes apoptosis in blood cancer cells and is approved for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia. However, multiple myeloma cells are frequently more dependent on MCL-1 for survival, conferring resistance to venetoclax. Here we report that mevalonate pathway inhibition with statins can overcome resistance to venetoclax in multiple myeloma cell lines and primary cells. In addition, statins sensitize to apoptosis induced by MCL-1 inhibitor, S63845. In retrospective analysis of venetoclax clinical studies in multiple myeloma, background statin use was associated with a significantly enhanced rate of stringent complete response and absence of progressive disease. Statins sensitize multiple myeloma cells to venetoclax by upregulating two proapoptotic proteins: PUMA via a p53-independent mechanism and NOXA via the integrated stress response. These findings provide rationale for prospective testing of statins with venetoclax regimens in multiple myeloma. BH3 mimetics including venetoclax hold promise for treatment of multiple myeloma but rational combinations are needed to broaden efficacy. This study presents mechanistic and clinical data to support addition of pitavastatin to venetoclax regimens in myeloma. The results open a new avenue for repurposing statins in blood cancer.