Targeting megakaryocytic-induced fibrosis in myeloproliferative neoplasms by AURKA inhibition. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) is characterized by bone marrow fibrosis, myeloproliferation, extramedullary hematopoiesis, splenomegaly and leukemic progression. Moreover, the bone marrow and spleens of individuals with PMF contain large numbers of atypical megakaryocytes that are postulated to contribute to fibrosis through the release of cytokines, including transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. Although the Janus kinase inhibitor ruxolitinib provides symptomatic relief, it does not reduce the mutant allele burden or substantially reverse fibrosis. Here we show through pharmacologic and genetic studies that aurora kinase A (AURKA) represents a new therapeutic target in PMF. Treatment with MLN8237, a selective AURKA inhibitor, promoted polyploidization and differentiation of megakaryocytes with PMF-associated mutations and had potent antifibrotic and antitumor activity in vivo in mouse models of PMF. Moreover, heterozygous deletion of Aurka was sufficient to ameliorate fibrosis and other PMF features in vivo. Our data suggest that megakaryocytes drive fibrosis in PMF and that targeting them with AURKA inhibitors has the potential to provide therapeutic benefit.

publication date

  • November 16, 2015

Research

keywords

  • Aurora Kinase A
  • Megakaryocytes
  • Primary Myelofibrosis

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC4674320

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 84949623272

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1038/nm.3995

PubMed ID

  • 26569382

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 21

issue

  • 12