Influence of lovastatin on BCL-2 and BAX expression by plasma cells and T lymphocytes in short-term cultures of multiple myeloma bone marrow mononuclear cells
Dmoszyńska, A.; Podhorecka, M.; Roliński, J.; Soroka-Wojtaszko, M.
Polish Journal of Pharmacology 56(4): 485-489
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 1230-6002 PMID: 15520505 Document Number: 575396
Lovastatin (LOV), until now largely used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia is a new promising drug in multiple myeloma (MM), however, the precise mechanism of its antitumor activity is not clear yet. It is probable that this effect is mediated by down-regulation of BCL-2 expression. In this study, we analyzed BCL-2 and BAX expression in cells of MM patients exposed to LOV in short-term culture. The obtained results indicate an increase in susceptibility to apoptosis both in CD138+ malignant cells and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Interestingly, such a tendency was confirmed in vivo in MM patient subjected to 3 cycles of LOV therapy.