Evaluation of the anti-leukemia activity and underlying mechanisms of the novel perinucleolar compartment inhibitor CTI-2 in acute myeloid leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignant clonal hematological tumor originating from immature myeloid cells and is the most prevalent type of leukemia in adults. Traditional chemotherapy regimens based on cytarabine and anthracycline agents are associated with a high relapse rate. Therefore, investigation of novel targeted therapies is crucial for improving AML treatment outcomes. In this study, we found that CTI-2, a novel inhibitor of perinucleolar compartment (PNC), has potential anti-AML activity with a favorable safety profile. CTI-2 induced a greater degree of apoptosis in FLT3-ITD mutant AML cells compared to AML cells with wild-type FLT3 mainly through the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Furthermore, MK2 and Pim-1 were identified as potential targets of CTI-2 through molecular docking analysis. CTI-2 decreased both the overall expression level and the phosphorylation of c-Myc, which are regulated by MK2 and Pim-1, respectively. Notably, CTI-2 exhibited a more substantial inhibitory effect on c-Myc in FLT3-ITD mutant cells, which may contribute to the enhanced efficacy of CTI-2 in this specific subset of AML. In summary, we have conducted a preliminary investigation into the anti-AML activity and underlying mechanisms of CTI-2. These results provide clues for the targeting of PNC in the treatment of AML.