Combination of Fludarabine and Imatinib Induces Apoptosis Synergistically Through Loss of Mitochondrial Membrane Potential and Increases in Caspase-3 Enzyme Activity in Human K562 Chronic Myleloid Leukemia Cells

ABSTRACT

In this study, we aimed to show the synergistic apoptotic effects of imatinib/fludarabine combination in human K562 chronic myleloid leukemia (CML) cells. There was a significant increase in cytotoxicity of combination of imatinib and fludarabine as compared to any agent alone. On the other hand, combination of both agents induced apoptosis significantly as confirmed by increases in caspase-3 enzyme activity and decreases in mitochondrial membrane potential. As a summary, the results of this study strongly suggest that combination of imatinib and fludarabine induced cell death synergistically comparing to only imatinib or fludarabine in human K562 CML cells.

Keywords: :

• Chronic myeloid leukemia
• Imatinib
• Fludarabine
• BCR/ABL
• Apoptosis

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

We thank to Dr. Halil Ates for his help during the study and Izmir Institute of Technology, Biotechnology and Bioengineering Research Facility staff for their help and technical support.