Roscovitine in B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells: high apoptosis-inducing efficacy and synergism with alemtuzumab independent of the patients’ pretreatment status

Abstract

Roscovitine induced apoptosis in isolated B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells of 25 patients of whom nine with relapsed and seven with fludarabine-refractory disease. It was synergistic with alemtuzumab and restored sensitivity to alemtuzumab in initially alemtuzumab-resistant samples. Observed roscovitine-induced up-regulation of CD52 surface expression may be one of the underlying mechanisms for this synergism.