Gene expression signature of T-ALL cell lines treated with the PI3K inhibitor AS605240. Homo sapiens

The PI3K pathway is frequently hyperactivated in primary T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cells. Activation of the PI3K pathway has been suggested as one mechanism of glucocorticoid resistance in T-ALL, and patients harboring mutations in the PI3K negative regulator PTEN may be at increased risk of induction failure and relapse. In this study, we identified Myc as an important downstream integrator of PI3K pathway activity in T-ALL and we provide data supportive of an association of higher PI3K activity with glucocorticoid resistance and worse clinical outcome. The PI3K inhibitor AS605240 showed anti-leukemic activity and strong synergism with glucocorticoids both in vitro and in a NOD/SCID xenograft model of T-ALL. In contrast, PI3K inhibition showed antagonism with methotrexate and daunorubicin, drugs that preferentially target dividing cells. This antagonistic interaction, however, could be circumvented by the use of correct drug scheduling schemes. Our data indicate the potential benefits and difficulties for the incorporation of PI3K inhibitors in T-ALL therapy. Overall design: Seven T-ALL cell lines (CCRF-CEM, HPB-ALL, Molt-4, ALL-SIL, P12-ICHIKAWA, TALL-1 and Jurkat) were cultured for 6h with the respective IC50 concentration of AS605240 or vehicle.