Regulation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-related Apoptosis-inducing Ligand Expression in Primary Acute Leukemic Cells by Chemotherapeutics

Objective: The expression of the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) protein and its regulation by chemotherapeutics were analyzed in primary acute leukemic cells. Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood was collected from 16 patients with acute leukemia on days 0, 1, 3, and 5 of chemotherapy. The mononuclear cells were separated from the peripheral blood, and TRAIL expression was assessed by flow cytometry. The bone marrow mononuclear cells of patients with acute leukemia were separated before chemotherapy and cultured in vitro with VP-16 and/or interferon (IFN). The TRAIL expression level was detected after the cell culture. Results: TRAIL expression in the mononuclear cells of peripheral blood was significantly upregulated on day 1 (p<0.05) and then significantly decreased on day 5 after chemotherapy (p<0.05). Results from the in vitro culture revealed that VP-16 upregulated TRAIL expression in the bone marrow mononuclear cells of patients with acute leukemia, but the binding of VP-16 to IFN did not enhance TRAIL expression as compared with VP-16 alone (p>0.05). Conclusion: OA single chemotherapy mechanism for leukemia may suffice to induce TRAIL expression and promote the apoptosis of leukemic cells.