Meisoindigo is a potential agent for acute myeloid leukemia [1].
Meisoindigo is a synthetic modification of indirubin. It has been used for chronic myeloid leukemia in China with less toxicity. In the in vitro assay, it can inhibit synthesis of DNA and RNA and the assembly of microtubules. It is also reported to have efficacy in acute myeloid leukemia. In the AML cell lines, HL-60, NB4 and U937, meisoindigo induces apoptosis in both caspase-dependent and -independent pathways. The effect induced by meisoindigo is likely mediated through the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. Meisoindigo also induces cell cycle arrest with more cells in sub-G1 and G0/G1 phases and fewer cells in the S phase. Besides, meisoindigo is found to induce differentiation in HL-60 and NB4 cell lines. The expression of hTERT can be down-regulated by meisoindigo, which can enhance the anti-leukemic activity of chemotherapeutic agents. Moreover, meisoindigo shows a moderate anti-tumor efficacy in NOD/SCID mice injected with AML cells [1].
References:
[1] Lee CC, Lin CP, Lee YL, Wang GC, Cheng YC, Liu HE. Meisoindigo is a promising agent with in vitro and in vivo activity against human acute myeloid leukemia. Leuk Lymphoma. 2010 May;51(5):897-905.