BCR-ABL point mutants isolated from patients with imatinib mesylate-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia remain sensitive to inhibitors of the BCR-ABL chaperone heat shock protein 90

Clinical resistance to imatinib mesylate is commonly observed in patients with advanced Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) leukemias. Acquired resistance is typically associated with reactivation of BCR-ABL due to kinase domain mutations or gene amplification, indicating that BCR-ABL remains a viable target for inhibition in these patients. Strategies for overcoming resistance can be envisioned through exploitation of other molecular features of the BCR-ABL protein, such as its dependence on the molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). To determine whether inhibition of Hsp90 could induce degradation of imatinib mesylate-resistant, mutant BCR-ABL proteins, hematopoietic cells expressing 2 mutant BCR-ABL proteins found in imatinib mesylate-resistant patients (T3151 and E255K) were examined for sensitivity to geldanamycin and 17-allylamino-geldanamycin (17-AAG). Both compounds induced the degradation of wild-type and mutant BCR-ABL and inhibited cell growth, with a trend indicating more potent activity against mutant BCR-ABL proteins. These data support clinical investigations of 17-AAG in imatinib mesylate-resistant Ph+ leukemias.