Direct Reversal of Glucocorticoid Resistance by AKT Inhibition in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

  • Erich Piovan
  • , Jiyang Yu
  • , Valeria Tosello
  • , Daniel Herranz
  • , Alberto Ambesi-Impiombato
  • , Ana Carolina DaSilva
  • , Marta Sanchez-Martin
  • , Arianne Perez-Garcia
  • , Isaura Rigo
  • , Mireia Castillo
  • , Stefano Indraccolo
  • , Justin R. Cross
  • , Elisa deStanchina
  • , Elisabeth Paietta
  • , Janis Racevskis
  • , Jacob M. Rowe
  • , Martin S. Tallman
  • , Giuseppe Basso
  • , Jules P. Meijerink
  • , Carlos Cordon-Cardo
  • Andrea Califano, Adolfo A. Ferrando

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Glucocorticoid resistance is a major driver of therapeutic failure in Tcell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Here, we identify the AKT1 kinase as a major negative regulator of the NR3C1 glucocorticoid receptor protein activity driving glucocorticoid resistance in T-ALL. Mechanistically, AKT1 impairs glucocorticoid-induced gene expression by direct phosphorylation of NR3C1 at position S134 and blocking glucocorticoid-induced NR3C1 translocation to the nucleus. Moreover, we demonstrate that loss of PTEN and consequent AKT1 activation can effectively block glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis and induce resistance to glucocorticoid therapy. Conversely, pharmacologic inhibition of AKT with MK2206 effectively restores glucocorticoid-induced NR3C1 translocation to the nucleus, increases the response of T-ALL cells to glucocorticoid therapy, and effectively reverses glucocorticoid resistance invitro and invivo.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)766-776
Number of pages11
JournalCancer Cell
Volume24
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 9 2013
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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