NPB001-05 inhibits Bcr-Abl kinase leading to apoptosis of imatinib-resistant cells.

The deregulated activity of the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase provides a rational basis for the development therapeutics in all phases of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML). Although a well studied imatinib therapy has clinical success against CML, resistance to imatinib due to mutations in the kinase domain, especially T315I poses a major problem for the ultimate success of CML therapy by this agent. Herein we describe an NPB001-05, derived from extract of Piper betle leafs, which is highly active in specifically inhibiting Bcr-Abl expressing cells.