Fenofibrate induces effective apoptosis in mantle cell lymphoma by inhibiting the TNFalpha/NF-kappaB signaling axis.

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Zak Z, Gelebart P, Lai R

Fenofibrate induces effective apoptosis in mantle cell lymphoma by inhibiting the TNFalpha/NF-kappaB signaling axis.

Leukemia. 2010 Aug;24(8):1476-86. doi: 10.1038/leu.2010.117. Epub 2010 Jun 3.

PubMed ID

20520642 [ View in PubMed

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Abstract

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a type of aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma characterized by frequent resistance to conventional chemotherapy. In this study we provided evidence that fenofibrate, which is widely known as an agonist for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARalpha), can induce effective apoptosis in treating MCL cells. Addition of fenofibrate to MCL cell lines significantly decreased the number of viable cells by 50% at approximately 20 microM at 72 h. This decrease in cell growth was due to apoptosis, as evidenced by the cleavage of caspase 3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. The fenofibrate-mediated effects were not significantly affected by GW6471, a specific PPARalpha antagonist. Using an apoptosis pathway-specific oligonucleotide array, we found that fenofibrate significantly downregulated several pro-survival genes, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha). Importantly, addition of recombinant TNF-alpha conferred partial protection against fenofibrate-induced apoptosis. Fenofibrate also decreased the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB-p65 and significantly inhibited the DNA binding of NF-kappaB in a dose-dependent manner. To conclude, fenofibrate shows efficacy against MCL, and the mechanism can be attributed to its inhibitory effects on the TNF-alpha/NF-kappaB signaling axis. In view of the documented safety of fenofibrate in humans, it may provide a valuable therapeutic option for MCL patients.