Vitamin A shows promise in APLZebrafish modeling of atypical PML-RARA isoform from acute promyelocytic leukemia patient and its implications for clinical treatment.
Focus on ATRA's efficacy
We constructed a zebrafish model to explore how a unique version of the PML-RARA protein, linked to acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), might respond to treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). This model allowed us to examine whether ATRA, a derivative of vitamin A, could be effective for patients with atypical APL characteristics.
In our findings, we observed that the response of the new PML-RARA isoform to ATRA treatment was similar to classical isoforms seen in the condition. We also found that ATRA worked well in this model, leading to favorable results for the treated patient, who reached complete remission shortly after starting therapy with ATRA and arsenic trioxide (ATO).
These results highlight the promising potential of vitamin A derivatives in cancer treatment, especially in various forms of APL. It's encouraging to see that ATRA can lead to substantial recovery, further supporting its use in clinical settings alongside other therapies.
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Promising APL treatment outcomes observedLong-term follow-up of a phase 2 study of all-trans retinoic acid, arsenic trioxide, and gemtuzumab ozogamicin in acute promyelocytic leukemia.
Combination treatment evaluated; ATRA included
We aimed to understand the effectiveness of a combination treatment involving all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), arsenic trioxide (ATO), and gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) for patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). This was a phase 2 trial involving newly diagnosed APL patients, where ATRA and ATO were used to induce remission.
The results were promising, as we observed a complete remission rate of 93.8% among the participants. Furthermore, 97.1% of those who achieved remission had no measurable residual disease, indicating a strong initial response to the treatment regimen.
Over a median follow-up of about 62 months, the 5-year survival rates were also impressive, with event-free survival at 92.4%, disease-free survival at 93.6%, and overall survival at 93.1%. We noted some side effects, including elevated liver enzymes and infections, but there were no severe complications like veno-occlusive disease.
While the study highlights the benefits of ATRA in this combination treatment, we must clarify that we cannot specifically isolate the effect of vitamin A, as it was part of a broader therapeutic approach. Nonetheless, the combination of ATRA with other agents showed significant success in treating APL, reinforcing the importance of multifaceted cancer therapies.
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Fenretinide shows promise against AMLFenretinide targets GATA1 to induce cytotoxicity in GATA1 positive Acute Erythroid and Acute Megakaryoblastic Leukemic cells.
Addresses targeted treatment in AML
We observed that certain types of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), specifically acute erythroleukemia and acute megakaryocytic leukemia, have a concerningly short median survival and limited effective treatment options. Our exploration focused on understanding the role of the transcription factor GATA1, which is crucial for the survival of cells in these leukemia subtypes. Remarkably, we discovered that a compound known as Fenretinide (or 4-HPR), a synthetic derivative of vitamin A, can target and induce loss of GATA1 in these AML cells.
As we delved into the study, we found that treating M6 AML cells with low concentrations of 4-HPR led to significant cytotoxic effects, akin to reducing GATA1 levels through genetic methods. This indicates that 4-HPR could act similar to a targeted therapy, directly impacting the survival of these cancer cells. Further, we were encouraged to see that 4-HPR not only performed effectively on its own but also enhanced the effectiveness of existing treatments like Azacytidine and Venetoclax, which typically struggle against drug resistance.
Our findings suggest that 4-HPR might represent a promising therapeutic avenue for patients with M6 and M7 AML, paving the way for its potential inclusion as a standard treatment option in the near future. The safety profile of Fenretinide, established through numerous clinical trials, further strengthens the case for its application in the combat against these aggressive forms of leukemia.
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This study delved into the effects of a compound called Acyclic Retinoid, which is derived from vitamin A, on lung cancer and its resistance to a common chemotherapy drug, cisplatin. We explored how Acyclic Retinoid could impact key signaling pathways that contribute to the growth and spread of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a prevalent and deadly form of the disease. Our focus was on how ACR affected the signals associated with the cancer progression, particularly the EGFR/AKT pathway, which is often overactive in lung cancer situations.
We treated various types of lung cells—including standard cancer cell lines and those resistant to cisplatin—with ACR, both alone and alongside cisplatin. By examining cell viability, apoptosis (the process of programmed cell death), and changes in important cellular signals, we gathered insightful data on the potential of this treatment. The results were promising; ACR inhibited the EGFR/AKT signaling pathway and showed an ability to improve the effectiveness of cisplatin against NSCLC and its resistant variants.
Overall, we observed that Acyclic Retinoid may hold significant promise as a therapeutic strategy for lung cancer, particularly for those patients who have developed resistance to traditional treatments. Its capability to enhance the effects of existing chemotherapy options could lead to better outcomes for patients battling this challenging disease.
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Vitamin A combined with SM effectiveCombinational therapy of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and sphingomyelin induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in B16F10 melanoma cancer cells.
Study relevance moderate
We explored the potential of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), a derivative of vitamin A, in treating melanoma. In our study, we combined ATRA with sphingomyelin (SM) to see if this pairing could enhance its effectiveness against aggressive melanoma cells.
We focused on an in vitro model using B16F10 melanoma cells and assessed how well this combination could promote cell death and stop the cells from growing. Our results highlighted that the combination of 123 μM of ATRA with 136 μM of SM was particularly effective, leading to a dramatic reduction in cell proliferation and significant apoptotic cell death.
This combination not only increased the expression of key genes that promote cell death, but it also caused a halt in the cell cycle, preventing cancer cells from continuing to grow. Moreover, our findings suggest that using ATRA alongside SM may provide a promising avenue for melanoma treatment while minimizing harm to normal, healthy cells.
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