Biologic sequelae of nuclear factor–κB blockade in multiple myeloma: therapeutic applications

Abstract

The transcription factor nuclear factor–κB (NF-κB) confers significant survival potential in a variety of tumors. Several established or novel anti–multiple myeloma (anti-MM) agents, such as dexamethasone, thalidomide, and proteasome inhibitors (PS-341), inhibit NF-κB activity as part of their diverse actions. However, studies to date have not delineated the effects of specific inhibition of NF-κB activity in MM. We therefore investigated the effect of SN50, a cell-permeable specific inhibitor of NF-κB nuclear translocation and activity, on MM cells. SN50 induced apoptosis in MM cell lines and patient cells; down-regulated expression of Bcl-2, A1, X-chromosome–linked inhibitor-of-apoptosis protein (XIAP), cellular inhibitor-of-apoptosis protein 1 (cIAP-1), cIAP-2, and survivin; up-regulated Bax; increased mitochondrial cytochromec release into the cytoplasm; and activated caspase-9 and caspase-3, but not caspase-8. We have previously demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor–α (TNF-α) is present locally in the bone marrow microenvironment and induces NF-κB–dependent up-regulation of adhesion molecules on both MM cells and bone marrow stromal cells, with resultant increased adhesion. In this study, TNF-α alone induced NF-κB nuclear translocation, cIAP-1 and cIAP-2 up-regulation, and MM cell proliferation; in contrast, SN50 pretreatment sensitized MM cells to TNF-α–induced apoptosis and cleavage of caspase-8 and caspase-3, similar to our previous finding of SN50-induced sensitization to apoptosis induced by the TNF-α family member TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)/Apo2L. Moreover, SN50 inhibited TNF-α–induced expression of another NF-κB target gene, intercellular adhesion molecule–1. Although the p38 inhibitor PD169316 did not directly kill MM cells, it potentiated the apoptotic effect of SN50, suggesting an interaction between the p38 and NF-κB pathways. Our results therefore demonstrate that NF-κB activity in MM cells promotes tumor-cell survival and protects against apoptotic stimuli. These studies provide the framework for targeting NF-κB activity in novel biologically based therapies for MM.