Notch 1 as a potential therapeutic target in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

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Deregulation of Notch signaling has been linked to the development of T-cell leukemias and several solid malignancies. Yet, it is unknown whether Notch signalling is involved in the pathogenesis of mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome, the most common subtypes of cutaneous T cell lymphoma. By immunohistochemistry of 40 biopsies taken from skin lesions of mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome we demonstrated prominent expression of Notch1 on tumor cells, especially in the more advanced stages. The gamma-secretase inhibitor I blocked Notch signaling and potently induced apoptosis in cell lines derived from mycosis fungoides (MyLa) and Sezary syndrome (SeAx, HuT-78)and in primary leukemic Sézary cells. Specific downregulation of Notch1 (but not Notch2 and Notch3) by siRNA induced apoptosis in SeAx. The mechanism of apoptosis involved the inhibition of NF-kappaB, which is the most important prosurvival pathway in cutaneous T cell lymphoma. Our data show that Notch is present in cutaneous T cell lymphoma and that its inhibition may provide a new way to treat cutaneous T cell lymphoma.
Original languageEnglish
JournalBlood
Volume116
Issue number14
Pages (from-to)2504-12
ISSN0006-4971
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Jan 2010

ID: 22127101