A copper chelate induces apoptosis and overcomes multidrug resistance in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia through redox imbalance and inhibition of EGFR/PI3K/Akt expression
Cu-5-SMAG but not its ligand 5-SMAG targets leukemic cells while sparing the normal cells. Through redox imbalance and induction of apoptosis Cu-5-SMAG overcomes MDR in T-ALL. Cu-5-SMAG downregulates EGFR1, Akt activation and PI3K expression in CEM/ADR5000 cells. Cu-5-SMAG significantly increases the life-span of EAC/Dox and EAC/S bearing mice without inducing any significant side effects. Mere introduction of Cu doesn’t made a molecule effective as Cu-OBPHA fails to exert similar effect like Cu-5-SMAG.