Characterization of apoptosis induced by protein kinase C inhibitors and its modulation by the caspase pathway in acute promyelocytic leukaemia

Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL;M3) is a unique form of acute myelogenous leukaemia characterized by t(15;17) translocation. The induction of apoptosis via inhibiting protein kinase C (PKC) has been recently viewed as a promising tool for the eradication of several malignant disorders. In the present study, we investigated the effect of two different protein kinase C inhibitors, Go6976 and safingol, on the induction of apoptosis in the APL cell line NB4 and its all trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-resistant variant NB4.306. The effect of the PKC inhibitors on leukaemic cells obtained from three APL patients was also studied. We also evaluated the possible involvement of the caspases in apoptosis induced by PKC inhibitors. Significant time- and concentration-dependent apoptotic changes were demonstrated using Go6976 and safingol. In addition, our results demonstrated that the caspases were involved in the apoptosis induced by the PKC inhibitors. In conclusion, our study illustrates that the PKC inhibitors Go6976 and safingol induce apoptosis in APL and hence could be potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of this disease.