2-[4-(7-chloro-2-quinoxalinyloxy)phenoxy]-propionic acid (XK469) inhibition of topoisomerase IIbeta is not sufficient for therapeutic response in human Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia xenograft model.

The role of DNA topoisomerase (Topo) IIbeta in cancer chemotherapy remains unclear, although this particular isoform has been implicated in drug resistance. In this study, we investigated Topo IIbeta as a target for 2-[4-(7-chloro-2-quinoxalinyloxy)phenoxy]-propionic acid (XK469), a novel synthetic quinoxaline phenoxypropionic acid derivative, in a Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) model. In vitro, the WSU-WM cell line was exposed to 1.0, 2.0, 5.0, 8.0, and 10 microM XK469. Our results demonstrate a concentration-dependent cell growth inhibition with a concentration-independent inhibition of Topo IIbeta, as determined by band depletion assay. The cell growth inhibition of cells correlated well with increase in Bax:Bcl-2 ratio and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage. We used our established WSU-WM severe combined immunodeficient mouse xenograft model to test the efficacy and effect of XK469 on Topo IIbeta in vivo. Topo IIbeta was inhibited equally using two different dose schedules (20 and 40 mg/kg, i.v., for a total of 120 and 240 mg/kg, respectively); however, there was no significant decrease in tumor weight. Western blot analysis of cells isolated from s.c. tumors showed no induction of the Bax protein and a very low Bax:Bcl-2 ratio of approximately 0.3 in correlation with minimum PARP cleavage. Our study shows that XK469 inhibits Topo IIbeta in WSU-WM cells both in vitro and in vivo at or below the maximum tolerated dose in severe combined immunodeficient mice. However, there was no change of apoptosis-related molecules such as PARP, Bax, and Bcl-2 or reduction in tumor weight in association with Topo IIbeta inhibition. We conclude that Topo IIbeta inhibition by XK469 as a target is not sufficient for therapeutic effects in WSU-WM.