Preclinical efficacy of prexasertib in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Br J Haematol. 2021 Sep;194(6):1094-1098. doi: 10.1111/bjh.17610. Epub 2021 Jun 7.

Abstract

The addition of molecularly targeted therapies to current chemotherapy regimens may improve acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) outcomes and reduce acute and late toxicities. Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) orchestrates cell cycle checkpoint control in the setting of DNA damage. CHK1 is expressed in both T- and B-ALL and represents a promising therapeutic target. Herein, we show that prexasertib, a targeted CHK1 inhibitor, exhibits significant single-agent efficacy in vivo using ALL patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models and synergizes in vitro with a nucleoside analog. These results support further clinical testing of prexasertib in ALL.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Checkpoint Kinase 1 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Deoxycytidine / analogs & derivatives
  • Deoxycytidine / pharmacology
  • Deoxycytidine / therapeutic use
  • Drug Synergism
  • Gemcitabine
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Pyrazines / pharmacology
  • Pyrazines / therapeutic use*
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology
  • Pyrazoles / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyrazines
  • Pyrazoles
  • prexasertib
  • Deoxycytidine
  • Checkpoint Kinase 1
  • Gemcitabine