Pleurocidin-family cationic antimicrobial peptides mediate lysis of multiple myeloma cells and impair the growth of multiple myeloma xenografts.

Authors:
Hilchie AL1, Conrad DM, Coombs MR, Zemlak T, Doucette CD, Liwski RS, Hoskin DW.
In:
Source: Leuk Lymphoma
Publication Date: (2013)
Issue: 54(10): 10
Research Area:
Basic Research
Cells used in publication:
Endothelial, umbilical vein, human (HUVEC)
Species: human
Tissue Origin: vein
Fibroblast, dermal (NHDF-Neo), human neonatal
Species: human
Tissue Origin: dermal
Epithelial, mammary, human (HMEC)
Species: human
Tissue Origin: breast
Abstract
Multiple myeloma is a common hematological malignancy that urgently requires new approaches to treatment, since the disease is not curable using current chemotherapeutic regimens. The aim of this study was to determine whether human and mouse multiple myeloma cells are killed by the pleurocidin-like cationic antimicrobial peptides NRC-03 and NRC-07, previously shown to be active against breast cancer cells. We demonstrate here that NRC-03 and NRC-07 bound to and rapidly killed multiple myeloma cells by causing extensive membrane damage, as well as DNA cleavage. NRC-03 showed greater binding to multiple myeloma cells and a more potent cytotoxic effect than NRC-07. In addition, intratumoral injections of NRC-03 impaired the growth of multiple myeloma xenografts in immune-deficient mice. We conclude that NRC-03 warrants further investigation for its possible use in the treatment of multiple myeloma.