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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2024.12.05.626954

CCR1 inhibition sensitizes multiple myeloma cells toglucocorticoid therapy

Luyckx, B.·Van Trimpont, M.·Declerck, F.·Staessens, E.·Verhee, A.·T'Sas, S.·Eyckerman, S.·Offner, F.·Van Vlierberghe, P.·Goossens, S.·Clarisse, D.·De Bosscher, K.
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Abstract

Glucocorticoids (GC) are cornerstone drugs in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). Because MM cells exploit the bone marrow microenvironment to obtain growth and survival signals, resistance to glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis emerges, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly characterized. Here, we identify that the chemokine receptor CCR1, together with its main ligand CCL3, plays a pivotal role in reducing the glucocorticoid sensitivity of MM cells. We show that blocking CCR1 signaling with the antagonist BX471 enhances the anti-MM effects of the glucocorticoid dexamethasone in MM cell lines, primary patient material and a myeloma xenograft mouse model. Mechanistically, the drug combination shifts the balance between pro- and antiapoptotic proteins towards apoptosis and deregulates lysosomal proteins. Our findings suggest that CCR1 may play a role in glucocorticoid resistance, as the GC-induced downregulation of CCR1 mRNA and protein is blunted in a GC-resistance onset model. Moreover, we demonstrate that inhibiting CCR1 partially reverses this resistance, providing a promising strategy for resensitizing MM cells to GC treatment.

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Luyckx, B., Van Trimpont, M., Declerck, F., Staessens, E., Verhee, A., T'Sas, S., Eyckerman, S., Offner, F., Van Vlierberghe, P., Goossens, S., Clarisse, D., De Bosscher, K.. 2024-12-09. CCR1 inhibition sensitizes multiple myeloma cells toglucocorticoid therapy. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.12.05.626954

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