MEK inhibitor CI-1040 induces apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia cells in vitro

Objective: MEK1/2 (mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 and 2)/ERK1/2 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2) is important transducers of external signals for cell growth, survival, and Apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia cells (AML). In this study, we analyzed the effect of MEK Inhibitor CI-1040 on the survival of AML cells.

Materials and methods: Using ELISA and MTT we studied the cytotoxic effects of CI-1040 on AML U-937 cells. We studied the changes induced by CI-1040 on PUMA and p53 expression in U-937 cells by Western blotting assay. Moreover, we analyzed the cytotoxic effect of CI-1040 in U-937 cells with deleted PUMA, wt-p53 by wt-p53 siRNA and PUMA siRNA transfection.

Results: CI-1040 induced Apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in U-937 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner. CI-1040 induced a significant increase in PUMA mRNA and protein levels. Importantly, we show that knockdown of PUMA by PUMA siRNA transfection inhibited CI-1040-induced Apoptosis and proliferation inhibition in U-937 cells. Moreover, CI-1040 induced Apoptosis and proliferation inhibition was irrespective of wt-P53 status.

Conclusions: These results demonstrate that CI-1040 induce Apoptosis of U-937 cells and might be a new therapeutic option for the treatment of AML.