Effects Of Rituximab On Jak-Stat And Nf-Kappa B Signaling Pathways In Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia And Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Objectives: Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody that targets the B-lymphocyte surface antigen CD20. It is used in the treatment of some diseases including B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). There are a lot of data regarding effect of Rituximab on lymphoma cells. But, there is no satisfactory information about the effect of Rituximab on the signaling pathways in leukemia cells. In this study, it was aimed to understand the effect of Rituximab on JAK-STAT and NF-kappa B signaling pathways in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) and B-CLL.Material and methods: Apoptotic effect of Rituximab in the TANOUE (B-ALL) and EHEB (B-CLL) cell lines were evaluated by using the Annexin V method. mRNA expression levels of STAT3 and RelA were analysed by quantitative RT-PCR (Q-PCR). Alterations in STAT3 and RelA protein expressions were detected by using a chromogenic alkaline phosphatase assay after Western Blotting.Results: Rituximab had no apoptotic effect on both cell lines. Complement-mediated cytotoxicity was only detected in EHEB cells. mRNA and protein expressions of STAT3 and RelA genes were decreased following Rituximab treatment.Conclusion: Our preliminary results suggest that the use of Rituximab might be effective in B-ALL though both signaling pathways.