Hemin enhances the sensitivity of erythroleukemia cells to 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine by both activation of deoxycytidine kinase and reduction of cytidine deaminase activity
Honma, Y.; Onozuka, Y.; Okabe-Kado, J.; Kasukabe, T.; Hozumi, M.
Cancer Research 51(17): 4535-4538
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-5472 PMID: 1873797 Document Number: 374205
The sensitivity of human myelogenous leukemia cells to 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) during induction of differentiation was examined. Treatment with hemin greatly increased the sensitivity of erythroid leukemia cells to ara-C. The enhancement of ara-C sensitivity by hemin was not as remarkable in nonerythroid leukemia cells. Hemin altered the metabolism of ara-C in human erythroleukemia K562 cells by reducing ara-C deaminase activity, increasing intracellular accumulation of ara-C, and activating the nucleoside kinases. These alterations may be involved in the enhancing effect of hemin on sensitivity of ara-C. These results suggest that some inducers of differentiation potentiate the antileukemic effect of ara-C on human erythroleukemia cells.