Shu Tamura

CGP 57148 is a compound of the 2-phenylaminopyrimidine class that selectively inhibits the tyrosine kinase activity of the ABL and the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) protein tyrosine kinases. We previously showed that CGP 57148 selectively kills p210BCR-ABL-expressing cells. To extend these observations, we evaluated the ability of CGP 57148 to inhibit other activated ABL tyrosine kinases, including p185BCR-ABL and TEL-ABL. In cell-based assays of ABL tyrosine phosphorylation, inhibition of ABL kinase activity was observed at concentrations similar to that reported for p210BCR-ABL. Consistent with the in vitro profile of this compound, the growth of cells expressing activated ABL protein tyrosine kinases was inhibited in the absence of exogenous growth factor. Growth inhibition was also observed with a p185BCR-ABL-positive acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) cell line generated from a Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL patient. As CGP 57148 inhibits the PDGFR kinase, we also showed that cells expressing an activated PDGFR tyrosine kinase, TEL-PDGFR, are sensitive to this compound. Thus, this compound may be useful for the treatment of a variety of BCR-ABL-positive leukemias and for treatment of the subset of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia patients with a TEL-PDGFR fusion protein.

Abstract CGP 57148 is a compound of the 2-phenylaminopyrimidine class that selectively inhibits the tyrosine kinase activity of the ABL and the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) protein tyrosine kinases. We previously showed that CGP 57148 selectively kills p210BCR-ABL–expressing cells. To extend these observations, we evaluated the ability of CGP 57148 to inhibit other activated ABL tyrosine kinases, including p185BCR-ABL and TEL-ABL. In cell-based assays of ABL tyrosine phosphorylation, inhibition of ABL kinase activity was observed at concentrations similar to that reported for p210BCR-ABL. Consistent with the in vitro profile of this compound, the growth of cells expressing activated ABL protein tyrosine kinases was inhibited in the absence of exogenous growth factor. Growth inhibition was also observed with a p185BCR-ABL–positive acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) cell line generated from a Philadelphia chromosome–positive ALL patient. As CGP 57148 inhibits the PDGFR kinase, we also showed that cells expressing an activated PDGFR tyrosine kinase, TEL-PDGFR, are sensitive to this compound. Thus, this compound may be useful for the treatment of a variety of BCR-ABL–positive leukemias and for treatment of the subset of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia patients with a TEL-PDGFR fusion protein.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is characterized by the presence of a specific chromosomal translocation between the long arms of chromosomes 9 and 22 that results in the fusion of BCR encoded sequences upstream of exon 2 of c-ABL. This fusion gene produces a 210-kDa chimeric BCR-ABL protein that has elevated tyrosine kinase activity. Several substrates of this activated tyrosine kinase have been reported. However, their necessity for the transforming functions of BCR-ABL has not been determined. A specific deletion of the SH2 domain of ABL was created to determine whether this mutation would alter the ability of BCR-ABL to induce factor-independent growth of a murine myeloid cell line and to determine whether the SH2 domain mediates the interaction of BCR-ABL with any of its substates. Our results indicate that the SH2 domain of BCR-ABL is not required for the induction of growth factor independence and is not required for the association of BCR-ABL with rasGAP or SHC. However, myeloid cells expressing this mutant lack the tyrosine phosphorylation of a 62-kDa rasGAP associated protein.