The natural products parthenolide and andrographolide exhibit anti-cancer stem cell activity in multiple myeloma

Leuk Lymphoma. 2011 Jun;52(6):1085-97. doi: 10.3109/10428194.2011.555891. Epub 2011 Mar 21.

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy where nearly all patients succumb to a relapse. The current preclinical models of MM target the plasma cells, constituting the bulk of the tumor, leaving the cancer stem cells to trigger a relapse. Utilizing a three-dimensional tissue culture system where cells were grown in extracellular matrix designed to reconstruct human bone marrow, we tested the anti-multiple myeloma cancer stem cell (MM-CSC) potential of two natural product inhibitors of nuclear factor κB (NFκB). Here we show that parthenolide and andrographolide are potent anti-MM-CSC agents. Both natural products demonstrated preferential toxicity toward MM-CSCs over non-tumorigenic MM cells. Addition of the bone marrow stromal compartment abrogated andrographolide activity while having no effect on parthenolide cytoxicity. This is the first report of a natural product with anti-CSC activity in myeloma, suggesting that it has the potential to improve the survival of patients with MM by eliminating the relapse-causing MM-CSCs.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Andrographis / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Diterpenes / chemistry
  • Diterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy
  • Multiple Myeloma / metabolism
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology
  • NF-kappa B / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / drug effects*
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Sesquiterpenes / chemistry
  • Sesquiterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Tanacetum parthenium / chemistry

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Diterpenes
  • NF-kappa B
  • Plant Extracts
  • Sesquiterpenes
  • parthenolide
  • andrographolide