Abstract
The approval of venetoclax, a 'BH3-mimetic' antagonist of the BCL-2 anti-apoptotic protein, for chronic lymphocytic leukemia represents a major milestone in translational apoptosis research. Venetoclax has already received 'breakthrough' designation for acute myeloid leukemia, and is being studied in many other tumor types. However, resistance to BCL-2 inhibitor monotherapy may rapidly ensue. Several studies have shown that the other two major anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins, BCL-XL and MCL-1, are the main determinants of resistance to venetoclax. This opens up possibilities for rationally combining venetoclax with other targeted agents to circumvent resistance. Here, we summarize the most promising combinations, and highlight those already in clinical trials. There is also increasing recognition that different tumors display different degrees of addiction to individual BCL-2 family proteins, and of the need to refine current 'BH3 profiling' techniques. Finally, the successful clinical development of potent and selective antagonists of BCL-XL and MCL-1 is eagerly awaited.
Keywords:
BCL-2; BCL-XL; MCL-1; Venetoclax; rational combinations; resistance.
Publication types
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Review
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
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Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
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Apoptosis / drug effects
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Apoptosis / genetics
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Biomimetics
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Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / pharmacology*
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Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / therapeutic use
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Clinical Trials as Topic
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Drug Discovery
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Drug Resistance, Neoplasm* / genetics
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Humans
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Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy
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Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / genetics
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Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / metabolism
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Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein / antagonists & inhibitors
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Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein / genetics
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Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein / metabolism
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Neoplasms / drug therapy
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Neoplasms / genetics
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Neoplasms / metabolism
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Peptide Fragments / pharmacology
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Peptide Fragments / therapeutic use
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins / pharmacology
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins / therapeutic use
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / antagonists & inhibitors*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / chemistry
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism
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Sulfonamides / pharmacology*
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Sulfonamides / therapeutic use
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bcl-X Protein / antagonists & inhibitors
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bcl-X Protein / genetics
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bcl-X Protein / metabolism
Substances
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Antineoplastic Agents
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Bax protein (53-86)
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Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
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MCL1 protein, human
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Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein
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Peptide Fragments
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
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Sulfonamides
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bcl-X Protein
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venetoclax