MPT0B169, a novel tubulin inhibitor, induces apoptosis in taxol-resistant acute myeloid leukemia cells through mitochondrial dysfunction and Mcl-1 downregulation.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignant disorder. AML cells are not susceptible to chemotherapeutic drugs because of their multidrug resistance (MDR). Antitubulin agents are currently employed in cancer treatments; however, drug resistance results in treatment failures because of MDR1 expressing cancer cells.

MPT0B169, a new tubulin inhibitor, inhibits cell growth and induces G2/M arrest in nonresistant and paclitaxel-resistant cancer cells.

The polymerization of tubulin molecules forms microtubules which are considered an attractive target for cancer treatment. Herein, we synthesized a new tubulin inhibitor, MPT0B169 (2-dimethylamino-N-[1-(4-methoxy-benzenesulfonyl)-2,​3-dihydro-1H-indol-7-yl]-acetamide) and demonstrated its action in leukemia cell lines HL60 and NB4 and lymphoma cell line U937. We found that MPT0B169 prevented tubulin assembly by binding the colchicine-binding site of tubulin in vitro.