Bithiophene derivative induced apoptosis and suppression of Akt pathway in mouse leukemic model.

Background: Bithiophene derivatives show a promising anti-cancer potential. We previously showed that Bithienyl Fluorobenzamidine (BFB) has an anti-proliferative effect against several leukemia cell lines. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) accounts for 18% of the total leukemia cases worldwide with heavier burden during the past 30 years. Therefore, the main aim remains the discovery of safe and effective medications.

Objective: The current research aims to investigate the anti-cancer efficacy of BFB and its effect on the apoptosis in the 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) induced AML in mice.

Methods: AML was induced in mice by DMBA and then treated by 2 different doses of BFB. After BFB treatment, the hematological and histological pattern changes was examined. Furthermore, the molecular effect of BFB on apoptosis, cell cycle markers and Protein kinase B (Akt) pathway was examined using qPCR, Western blotting and ELISA.

Results: BFB treatment ameliorates leukemia histological and hematological markers significantly, despite non-significant changes in normal mice. This improvement exhibits cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction, represented by elevation of tp53/p53, p21/p21, Caspase3 and downregulation of ckk1/Cdk1 in the bone marrow, as well as Akt pathway suppression.

Conclusions: Our results establishes BFB as a promising therapeutic candidate against AML through cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction and Akt pathway modulation.