Xinlong Gao
Xu Zuo1- 1Naval Medical Center of PLA, Shanghai, China
- 2College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous hematological malignancy with historically high mortality rates. The treatment strategies for AML is still internationally based on anthracyclines and cytarabine, which remained unchanged for decades. With the rapid advance on sequencing technology, molecular targets of leukemogenesis and disease progression related to epigenetics are constantly being discovered, which are important for the prognosis and treatment of AML. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is characterized by novel pharmacological mechanisms, low toxicity and limited side effects. Several biologically active ingredients of TCM are effective against AML. This review focuses on bioactive compounds in TCM targeting epigenetic mechanisms to address the complexities and heterogeneity of AML.
1 Introduction
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the most prevalent acute leukemia in adults, arises from aberrant transformation of primitive hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and progenitor cells (HSPCs), resulting in abnormal proliferation and impaired differentiation of immature bone marrow progenitors (Khwaja et al., 2016). Leukemia cells possess the capacity to infiltrate bone marrow, blood, and other tissues, leading to rapid progression of clinical manifestations (Döhner et al., 2015). Multiple studies have demonstrated that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) or progenitor cells can transform into leukemia stem cells (LSCs), which possess the ability of self-renewal and sustained proliferation, leading to the development, progression, and multidrug resistance of AML (Stelmach and Trumpp, 2023). Mutations in specific genes, such as FLT3, NPM1, CEBPA, RUNX1, etc., also contribute to an increased number of LSC (Papaemmanuil et al., 2016). These mutations may be present in early clones during the initial stages of the disease, leading to alterations in gene expression within signaling pathways involved in hematopoietic cell proliferation and differentiation, leukemia development and maintenance of LSCs, thereby impacting the occurrence, progression, and prognosis of AML (Egan and Schimmer, 2023). Environmental factors, including prolonged exposure to specific chemicals (e.g., chlorobenzene, cyclophosphamide) or radioactive substances, can also elevate the risk of AML (Bueso-Ramos et al., 2015). Furthermore, abnormal epigenetic regulation is commonly observed in patients with AML. This aberration can result in the abnormal suppression or overexpression of crucial genes, thereby impacting the proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation of leukemia cells. Consequently, epigenetic modification is now recognized as a pivotal factor driving the initiation and progression of AML (Nuno et al., 2023).
In the past few decades, AML has typically been managed with intensive chemotherapy utilizing anthracyclines or anthranones in combination with cytarabine (known as a “3 + 7″regimen), followed by multiple courses of consolidation chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Döhner et al., 2017). However, the long-term survival rate after standard chemotherapy is only approximately 20%–40%, and most AML patients are at risk of relapse, with some failing to achieve complete remission (Zappasodi et al., 2018). In recent years, the emergence of demethylating agents such as decitabine (DAC) and azacytidine (AZA) has provided novel therapeutic options for AML patients who are not suitable candidates for standard chemotherapy regimens. These agents modulate DNA methylation patterns and reactivate silenced tumor suppressor genes, thereby promoting cancer cell differentiation and apoptosis (Xu and Yu, 2020). With the advancement of high-throughput sequencing technology, our comprehension of AML epigenetics is deepening, thereby positioning epigenetic modification as a potential novel target for future diagnosis and treatment strategies in AML. However, further investigation is warranted to gain comprehensive insights into the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of epigenetic therapies, address concerns regarding drug resistance, and explore optimal combinations with traditional treatments to enhance treatment outcomes for patients with AML.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is extensively utilized for the prevention and treatment of a wide range of diseases. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have emphasized the significance of TCM in cancer therapy. Compared with conventional therapies, TCM has the advantage of multiple components and targets with limited side effects, making it particularly suitable for treating complex diseases, especially cancer (Wang et al., 2021). After years of basic and clinical research, TCM has made significant achievements in the field of tumor treatment. Various anti-tumor drugs successfully extracted and developed from Chinese herbal medicine, thereby providing a rich material foundation for the advancement of novel anti-cancer drugs (Luo et al., 2019). Currently, TCM has emerged as a pivotal therapeutic strategy for leukemia (Huang et al., 2017), effectively extending the survival and enhancing the quality of life of patients (Chen and Zhuang, 2024). Vincristine, a dimer-indo-alkaloid extracted from the leaves of Gatharanthus roseus, is effective to treat acute lymphocytic cell leukemia (ALL) clinically (Cragg and Newman, 2009). Arsenic trioxide (ATO), the most widely used arsenical as an anti-cancer drug, has been clinically approved in the treatment of APL targeting the PML/RARα oncofusion protein (Nayak et al., 2010). Notably, TCM exhibits distinctive attributes including limited toxicities, wide accessibility at a cost-effective manner, and suitability for long-term administration. Therefore, the use of TCM in combination with chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation for leukemia treatment has gained increasing recognition with special clinical benefits. Despite the extensive research into leukemia therapy of TCM for decades, most TCM prescriptions still lack clear targets and signaling pathways (Zhu et al., 2022). This article comprehensively reviews the AML and the significance of epigenetics in its pathogenesis, as well as the current status of TCM in improving AML therapeutic effects.
2 Epigenetics
In recent years, the crucial role of epigenetic modification in the processes of tumorigenesis, proliferation, and metastasis has gained widespread recognition in recent years. These modifications encompass alterations in DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA rather than changes in DNA sequence itself. In hematologic tumors such as AML, epigenetic dysregulation can lead to tumor cell proliferation and metastasis, affect the expression of key genes, and is an important target for AML treatment. In hematologic tumors such as AML, epigenetic dysregulation can lead to tumor cell proliferation and metastasis, affect the expression of key genes, and is an important target for AML treatment. The common epigenetic pathogenesis of AML and mechanisms of targeted therapy are shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Epigenetic pathogenesis of AML and mechanisms of targeted therapy.
2.1 DNA methylation in AML
DNA methylation is a pivotal epigenetic modification mechanism that catalyzes the addition of a methyl group to the five carbon atoms of the cytosine molecule, resulting in the formation of 5-methylcytosine, which plays an indispensable role in various fundamental cellular processes (Jaenisch, 1997; Schaefer et al., 2007). Initially, the investigation of abnormal Global hypomethylation or hypermethylation of the promoter region is often observed in AML cells. The induction of gene silencing can be attributed to highly methylated promoter regions, whereas the promotion of gene expression may arise from poorly methylated CpG off-island regions (Baylin and Jones, 2011). The aberrant methylation patterns in adult AML primarily result from mutations affecting the DNMT3A, TET2, and IDH1/2 enzymes.
DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B in the DNMT family are methyltransferases that catalyze DNA methylation and are responsible for adding methyl groups to cytosine residues of CpG dinucleotides to maintain the methylated state of HSCs and progenitors (Li et al., 2013; Liu X. et al., 2015). DNMT1 is primarily responsible for maintaining the DNA methylation state, whereas DNMT3A and DNMT3B facilitate de novo DNA methylation (Cui and Xu, 2018). DNMT3A mutations can result in dysregulation of DNA methylation, thereby eliciting global alterations in gene expression patterns in hematological malignancies. This perturbation typically enhances the self-renewal capacity of blood cells while compromising their normal differentiation process (Mizuno et al., 2001; Li et al., 2013; Deveau et al., 2015). Approximately 12–22 percent of patients with AML harbor a heterozygous DNMT3A gene mutation (Sun et al., 2018). The most prevalent mutation occurs at the arginine (R882) site and is associated with heightened proliferation of HSCs as well as resistance to anthracycline chemotherapy (Ohgami and Arber, 2015). In AML, restoration of normal molecular function can be achieved through hypomethylation-mediated inhibition of DNMT. Demethylation drugs, also known as DNMT inhibitors or HMAs, such as DAC and AZA, have been approved for clinical treatment of hematological malignancies and the overwhelming majority of studies demonstrate encouraging outcomes (Leisch et al., 2022).
TET2 is a prevalent epigenetic modifier in hematological malignancies. Functioning as a dioxygenase that utilizes α-ketoglutaric acid (α-KG), Fe2+, and O2, TET2 catalyzes the hydroxylation of DNA methylcytosine (5 mC), leading to its conversion into 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and subsequent generation of other derivatives, ultimately facilitating demethylation for DNA formation. TET2 mutations can induce a pre-leukemic state in HSCs, while preserving their capacity to differentiate into fully mature blood cells. However, upon acquisition of additional genetic alterations, these preleukemic stem cells can undergo transformation into leukemic initiation cells and drive the progression towards full-blown leukemia (Chan and Majeti, 2013; Corces-Zimmerman and Majeti, 2014; Sato et al., 2016).
IDH mutations are detected in approximately 20% of patients with AML (DiNardo et al., 2015). IDH catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of isocitric acid to α-KG. IDH mutations convert α-KG into the carcinogenic metabolite 2-hydroxy-glutaric acid (2-HG), which accumulates in tumor cells, leading to aberrant DNA or histone hypermethylation. Moreover, the interaction between IDH1/2 and TET2 exerts an impact on the differentiation of hematopoietic cells, thereby driving leukemogenesis (Yen et al., 2017; Zeidner, 2020). In preclinical models of AML, targeted inhibition of IDH mutations effectively attenuates intracellular 2-HG levels and reverses the progression of AML (Sulkowski et al., 2017). It has been observed that mutations in TET2 and IDH1/2 exhibit mutual exclusivity among AML patients. Given that TET2 facilitates DNA demethylation via the α-ketoglutarate-dependent pathway, the presence of 2-hydroxyglutaric acid resulting from IDH1/2 protein mutation can competitively inhibit TET2 function (Xu et al., 2011). Therefore, IDH1/2 mutations facilitate the progression of leukemia by impeding myeloid differentiation, disrupting TET2-mediated DNA demethylation, and aberrantly augmenting c-Kit expression (Figueroa et al., 2010).
2.2 Histone modifications
Histone modifications including methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, adenylation, ubiquitination and ADP ribosylation (Jezek and Green, 2019), play a pivotal role in the regulation of chromatin structure remodeling and genome expression, thereby exerting significant influence on the pathogenesis and progression of numerous diseases (Suganuma and Workman, 2011). The enzymes involved in histone modification encompass histone acetyltransferase (HAT), histone deacetylated transferase (HDAC), histone methyltransferase (HMT), and histone demethylase (HDMT). Among them, HDAC and HDMT collaboratively facilitate the removal of histone modifications (Müller et al., 2013).
Histone acetylation is a reversible process that occurs on histone tail residues, regulated by histone HATs and deacetylases HDACs (Vogelauer et al., 2000), which play a crucial role in gene transcription regulation. Recent studies have revealed that abnormal function of histone acetylation is strongly linked to leukemia occurrence, with numerous chromosome alterations involving HDAC protein and its dysregulated activity (Eberharter and Becker, 2002), resulting in perturbation or overexpression of key factors leading to leukemia onset. Additionally, elevated levels of HDACs significantly downregulate tumor suppressor genes while promoting tumor angiogenesis and cell migration ultimately leading to proliferation, invasion, and metastasis in cancer cells. In AML specifically, increased HDAC expression disrupts cell cycle regulation through aberrant signaling pathways affecting cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Conversely reducing HDAC expression enhances activity of specific tumor suppressor genes facilitating their transcriptional activation thereby suppressing AML cell proliferation while inducing apoptosis (Barneda-Zahonero and Parra, 2012; Beyer et al., 2019).
The methylation modification of histones occurs on lysine and arginine residues, which is co-regulated by HMT and HDMT. Aberrant patterns of histone methylation can result in abnormal proliferation and survival of AML stem cells, thereby promoting the development of AML. EZH2, a histone lysine methyltransferase (HKMT), catalyzes the PRC2 protein complex and is frequently mutated or overexpressed in myeloid malignancies (Cao et al., 2002). Mutated or overexpressed EZH2 can inhibit the differentiation of AML stem cells, thus promoting both the occurrence and progression of AML (Chen and Zhuang, 2024). The MLL gene on chromosome 11q23 encodes an H3K4 methyltransferase, which plays a role in histone modification and influences HOX gene expression and Wnt signaling (Milne et al., 2002). MLL mutations occur in 5%–7% of newly diagnosed AML cases and are linked to unfavorable outcomes. Interactions between MLL fusion proteins and DOT1L have been demonstrated to drive the progression of leukemia (Bernt et al., 2011).
2.3 Non-coding RNAs in AML pathogenesis
In recent years, with the rapid advancement of functional genomics and high-throughput sequencing technology, researchers have discovered that a diverse range of non-coding RNAs (such as lncRNA, miRNA, etc.) play a pivotal regulatory role in the initiation and progression of hematological malignancies (Dahariya et al., 2019). miRNAs, short non-coding RNAs that bind to target gene mRNA to regulate their expression, often exhibit abnormal expression patterns in AML patients. Some miRNAs are overexpressed or silenced, thereby impacting key biological characteristics of leukemia cells such as proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Furthermore, aberrant expression of certain lncRNAs also influences the proliferation capacity, survival ability, invasion potential of leukemia cells while promoting the occurrence and progression of AML. Due to their significant involvement in AML pathogenesis, ncRNAs are considered promising therapeutic targets.
Additionally, aberrant expression of non-coding RNA is closely associated with drug resistance in patients with AML. For example, HOTAIR expression levels were significantly upregulated in patients with refractory and relapsing AML and in AML resistant cell lines (K562/A02). Inhibition of HOTAIR expression inhibited cell proliferation and enhanced the sensitivity of K562/A02 cells to adriamycin (Li ML. et al., 2020). In addition, miRNAs can regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of AML cells. The expression of miR-182-5p was significantly upregulated in AML cells, and inhibition of miR-182-5p activity could significantly reduce the proliferation of AML cells and reverse cisplatin resistance (Zhang et al., 2018). Further investigation and elucidation into the specific mechanisms underlying various ncRNAs will provide novel insights and directions for comprehending the etiology and treatment of AML.
3 Bioactive compounds in TCM targeting epigenetic mechanisms in the treatment of AML
3.1 Clinical applications
Significant progress has been achieved in the treatment of tumors by combining traditional TCM with Western medicine (WM), following years of extensive basic and clinical research. WM primarily employs chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation, gene therapy, and immunotherapy for leukemia treatment (Liu, 2021), while TCM typically employs the methods of clearing heat and detoxifying, strengthening body resistance and promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis according to the fundamental principles of TCM (Ma et al., 2021). The bioactive compounds of TCM serve as the fundamental basis for its pharmacological efficacy, exhibiting commendable clinical performance in the AML treatment. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is one of the most common drugs used in the frontline treatment of APL that act through targeting and destabilizing the PML/RARα oncofusion protein (Yu et al., 2023). ATO together with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) lead to durable remission of more than 90% non-high-risk APL patients, turning APL treatment into a paradigm of oncoprotein targeted cure (Langdon et al., 2024). The plant-derived agent homoharringtonine (HHT), derived from the Chinese tree Cephalotaxus harringtonia var. drupacea, exhibits significant anti-leukemia effects and demonstrates efficacy in the treatment of acute and chronic myeloid leukemia, as well as myelodysplastic syndrome. HHT has been approved by the US FDA for treating CML. In China, HHT is extensively utilized in the management of AML, and “HAA” program (homoharringtonine + cytarabine + aclarubicin) has become the first-line treatment for low- and medium-risk AML patients in China through multicenter phase III clinical trials currently.
3.2 Epigenetic mechanisms
Given the critical role of epigenetic aberrations in AML pathogenesis, epigenetic therapies have emerged as promising strategies. Drugs targeting DNA methylation (e.g., azacitidine and decitabine) or HDAC inhibitors have shown clinical benefits, underscoring the potential of targeting the epigenome for AML treatment. Many TCM and their active ingredients, such as curcumin, resveratrol, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), have been shown to possess epigenetic modulating activities. They can alter the methylation patterns of specific genes or influence histone modifications, potentially reversing the malignant phenotype of AML cells. Epigenetic modulation by TCM compounds may possess the potential to overcome drug resistance observed in standard therapies for AML, a significant challenge in the treatment of this disease. Furthermore, the modulation of epigenetic markers by certain TCM compounds can enhance the sensitivity of AML cells to conventional chemotherapeutic agents, thereby potentially reducing the required chemotherapy dosage and minimizing associated side effects. Several mechanisms have been elucidated that explain for the modulatory effects of TCM compounds on epigenetic targets as depicted in Tables 1–3. Here’s a comprehensive look of the underlying mechanism on epigenetic targets.
Table 1. Screening of DNA methylation-related targets in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia with traditional Chinese medicine and study on the mechanism of action of active components.
Table 2. Screening of histone modification related targets and study on the mechanism of action of effective components in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia with Chinese medicine.
Table 3. Screening of non-coding RNA-related targets and study on the mechanism of action of active components in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia with traditional Chinese medicine.
3.2.1 DNA methylation
The aberrant DNA methylation patterns, specifically hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes and hypomethylation of oncogenes, have been observed in AML. The altered methylation states can impede normal hematopoietic differentiation, thereby contributing to the perpetuation of leukemic conditions. The studies on TCM regulating DNA methylation modification primarily focus on the entire genome and abnormal methylation status through active ingredients. The mechanism underlying this process mainly involves the regulation of DNMTs expression or related signaling pathways.
ATO is widely utilized in the frontline treatment of APL, which involves destabilization of the PML/RARα fusion protein. A previous research demonstrated that PML/RARα directly interacted with DNMTs, including DNMT1 and DNMT3A, resulting in hypermethylation of downstream genes to promote leukemogenesis (Di Croce et al., 2002). Khaleghian A et al. (Khaleghian et al., 2014) proved that ATO directly inhibited the mRNA expression of DNMTs (DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B) in the APL cell line NB4. Similarly, As2O3 could inhibit DNMTs and restore the hypermethylation status of the TMS1 gene, thereby inducing apoptosis in K562 cells via downregulation of Bcl-2/Bax expression (Li et al., 2015). Furthermore, a recent research showed the suppression of DNMTs expression by ATO induced DNA hypomethylation at the promoter region of cell cycle related genes which could potentially elucidate the mechanism behind ATO-induced cell cycle arrest in NB4 cells s and its efficacy in eradicating APL (Hassani et al., 2018). The collective findings indicated that ATO may possess the capacity to reverse aberrant DNA methylation patterns, thereby contributing to the treatment of leukemia. Curcumin in TCM is primarily aimed at enhancing blood circulation and resolving blood stasis, as it has been extensively investigated for its remarkable anti-tumor and antioxidant activity. Curcumin inhibited DNA methylation by covalently blocking the catalytic thiolate of DNMT1 and reducing the expression of tumor suppressor gene Sp1 Transcription Factor (Sp1) and Transcription factor p65 (p65) in AML cell lines in vitro and in vivo (Yu et al., 2013). Dimethoxycurcumin (DMC), the synthetic structural analogue of curcumin, could induce the expression of genes with methylated promoters without reversing DNA methylation and increased the H3K36me3 mark near the promoter region of hypermethylated genes (Hassan et al., 2015). The combination of DMC and DNMT inhititors decitabine could enhance gene re-expression of promoter-methylated genes and significantly increased H3K27 acetylation (Hassan et al., 2016). Min Liao et al. revealed that the occurrence of DNMT3A mutations in de novo AML patients was approximately 20%, with more than 50% of these mutations being heterozygous missense alterations within the methyltransferase domain at residue R882 (Liao et al., 2021). The presence of DNMT3A R882 mutations in AML patients confered resistance to anthracycline chemotherapy and drives relapse. Oridonin, an ent-kaurene diterpenoid isolated from the Chinese herb Rabdosia rubescens, effectively suppressed DNMT3A R882 mutation-driven AML through the induction of apoptosis and necroptosis. Currently, the TCM Donglingcao, which is mainly composed of Oridonin, is being studied in clinical research for its potential in treating DNMT3A-mutated AML. The alkaloid Homoharringtonine (HHT), isolated from the cephalotaxus hainanensis, has been approved by FDA for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Moreover, HHT is extensively utilized in China for the management of AML. The FLT3 gene is a crucial downstream target of the HHT/SP1/TET1/5hmC signaling pathway. Treatment with HHT significantly reduced global DNA 5-hydroxymethylcytosine abundance by targeting the SP1/TET1 axis (Li C. et al., 2020). Quercetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, has demonstrated remarkable potential as a multipotent bioflavonoid for the prevention and treatment of cancer. The treatment with Quercetin significantly decreased the expression of DNMT1 and DNMT3a and induced demethylation of the pro-apoptotic BCL2L11, DAPK1 genes, which further promoted cell death in leukemia (Alvarez et al., 2018). Quercetin also induced Fas ligand-related apoptosis through activating the ERK and JNK pathways and promotion of histone H3 acetylation in leukemia cells (Lee et al., 2011). EGCG, the main active catechin in green tea, is involved in numerous biological mechanisms related with cancer development and progression as a potential anti-cancer agent. EGCG dose-dependently reduced hypermethylation of CHD5 gene by downregulating the expression of DNMT1 in KG-1 and THP-1 cells, which promoted AML cell apoptosis (Wu et al., 2020). Besides, EGCG effectively suppresses the proliferation and cell cycle progression of NB4 cells by inhibiting the expression of DNMT1 and DNMT3a, thereby inducing a downregulation in the methylation of DAPK1 gene (Shi et al., 2018).
3.2.2 Histone modifications
Histone modification is a crucial mechanism in the regulation of epigenetics. By modifying histones through acetylation and methylation, it is possible to regulate the accessibility of chromosomes and genes. Abnormal histone modifications are frequently observed in AML patients, which can result in aberrant expression of leukemia-related genes including oncogene overexpression and tumor suppressor gene silencing. Specific histone modifications may serve as potential targets for AML treatment. Targeted intervention aimed at correcting abnormal histone modifications in leukemia cells can be designed to regulate cell proliferation and survival, ultimately improving therapeutic outcomes.
Compared with DNA methylation, histone modifications in APL pathogenesis and treatment response may have been even more significant. Ji Li et al. showed that ATO induced apoptosis by promoting histone H3 phosphoacetylation of Caspase-10 in NB4 cells (Li et al., 2002). Another study also demonstrated that arsenic exposure significantly promoted global histone acetylation (Ramirez et al., 2008). Besides, ATO nanoparticles activated p21(WAF1/CIP1) gene by promoting acetylation of H3K14 and phosphorylation of H3S10, thereby leading to apoptosis in the prostate cancer cells, implaying arsenic might exert apoptotic effects by modulating histone modifications (Jadhav et al., 2016). EGCG was shown to reduce proliferation and cause apoptosis in NB4 cells and it also inhibited HP1α and DNMT1 protein expression and H3K9me3 modification (Vitkeviciene et al., 2018). Administration of EGCG enhanced differentiation of HL-60 cells via inhibition of PML-RARα and HDAC1 (Moradzadeh et al., 2018). Beyond that, another research also proved the inhibitory effect of EGCG on DNMT and HDAC in NB4 and HL-60 cells. It effectively regulated chromatin structure via inhibiting epigenetic modifiers, including DNMT1, HDAC1, and HDAC2. Furthermore, the research demonstrated a downregulation of the G9a gene expression and decreased levels of histone H3K9me2 modification catalyzed by G9a (Borutinskaitė et al., 2018). Suhila Sawesi et al. explored the effect of curcumin and DMC on a range of histone posttranslational modifications and activity. The research findings revealed that Curcumin and DMC effectively inhibited the activity of HKMTs enzymes, which specifically targeted the H3K4, H3K9, and H3K27 marks. Additionally, these two compounds were found to enhance the enzymatic activity of HKDMs enzymes such as LSD1, JARID, and JMJD2 (Sawesi et al., 2022). Acanthopanax senticosus is a multifunctional bioflavonoid with great potential in the prevention and treatment of malignant tumors. Qing-Yuan Wang et al. proved that Acanthopanax senticosus demonstrated a dose- and time-dependent ability to induce apoptosis of human leukemia HL-60 cells, while also exhibiting potential as a HADC inhibitor (Wang QY. et al., 2016). Quercetin was exhibited to enhance the acetylation of H3 and H4 in the promoter regions of the pro-apoptotic BCL2L11, DAPK1 genes, which subsequently promoted cell death in leukemia (Alvarez et al., 2018). The proliferation of KG1-α cells was effectively suppressed by ginsenoside through the downregulation of HDAC1, HDAC2, and HDAC6, accompanied by enhancing histone H3 acetylation and increasing HAT activity (Liu ZH. et al., 2015). The expression of CBP, EP300, and SIRT3 in HL-60/ADR and KG1-α cells was upregulated by berberine, all of which belonged to the class III HDACs, accompanied by a significant reduction in the protein levels of H3K27me3 after treatment (Wang Z. et al., 2016).
3.2.3 RNA-based mechanisms
The expression pattern of ncRNA can serve as a biomarker for AML, playing a crucial regulatory role in the onset and progression of AML, and offering potential applications in disease diagnosis, prognosis assessment, and treatment monitoring. Modulating abnormally expressed miRNAs or lncRNAs can affect the biological behavior of AML cells with potential therapeutic effects on leukemia cells.
The ATO treatment decreased the expression of let-7d and miR-766, thereby significantly suppressing the expression of pro-apoptotic genes caspase-3 and Bax (Liang et al., 2013). Similarly, ATO led to the downregulation of three miRNAs (miR-17, miR-20a, and miR-106a) targeting SIRPα through the activation of β-catenin and c-Myc signaling pathways, thereby significantly contributing to ATO-induced apoptosis in APL cells (Pan et al., 2016). Another study has also confirmed that The ATO treatment modulated numerous cancer-related miRNAs in the APL cell line, most of which were involved in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis (Ghaffari et al., 2012). In conclusion, miRNA serves as a crucial mediator for ATO to exert its anti-cancer activity in APL (Maimaitiyiming et al., 2020). The leukemia cells of M5 patients with EMI showed low miR-3677-5p expression and high CXCL12 and CXCR4 mRNA levels, which could serve as indicators for extramedullary infiltration and poor prognosis. Ginsenoside Rk3, a main active ingredient of ginsenosides, exerted inhibitory effects on proliferation, migration, and invasion in SHI-1 cells by targeting the miR-3677-5p/CXCL12 axis (Ma et al., 2022). Besides, Tanshinone IIA regulated MAPK/ERK1/2 pathway through miR-497 to inhibit cell proliferation in human OCI-AML3 cells (Nie et al., 2020). Resveratrol, Gallic Acid, and Piperine could regulate miR-17, miR-92b, miR-181a, and miR-222 in HL-60 cells and exhibited positive therapeutic effects on AML (Iravani Saadi et al., 2023). Curcumin attenuated Adriamycin-resistance of AML by inhibiting miRNA (miR)-20a-5p, thus suppressing the proliferation and migration and blocking the cell cycle progression of HL-60 cells (Liu et al., 2021). Matrine, a natural alkaloid isolated from the root and stem of the legume plant Sophora, exerts various pharmacological effects through multiple signaling pathways. It was identified as a great anti-tumor agent on AML through the inactivation of the JAK/STAT pathway mediated by the lncRNA LINC01116/miR-592 axis (Zhang et al., 2022). Similarly, Matrine inhibited the progression of AML by selectively targeting miR-495-3p and miR-543, leading to the attenuation of PDK1 expression and subsequent repression of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (Lei et al., 2024).
4 Challenges and perspectives
Although recent research has greatly enhanced our understanding of TCM oncology, significant challenges and limitations remain for its widespread clinical use. First, the standardization of TCM raises a multitude of concerns. TCM consisting of multiple herbs, are characterized by their complexity and diversity. Each herb has its chemical constituents, and the overall effects of these formulas depend on the proportions and quality of the herbs utilized. Furthermore, the quality of herbs may vary due to factors like soil quality, harvest time, processing techniques, and storage conditions. These variations can potentially impact the safety and effectiveness of herbal formulations. Unlike WM, where drugs have a specific dose and purity, many TCMs lack the standardized dosages and preparation methods, which can lead to inconsistencies in efficacy and potential side effects. Without proper standardization, the potential interactions between TCM and WM may also be unpredictable. While numerous studies have looked into the benefits of TCM, there remains a necessity for more rigorous and high-quality randomized controlled trials to establish the safety and efficacy of TCM. Thus there’s a balance to strike between preserving traditional methods and knowledge and integrating modern scientific standards and validation. The regulatory differences and ethical concerns are also need to be addressed. The regulatory framework for TCM, varies from one country to another. In certain jurisdictions, TCM products may be marketed as dietary supplements, while in others they are classified as pharmaceutical drugs. The utilization of certain TCM involves the utilization of ingredients derived from endangered plants or animals. Therefore, any standardization efforts should take into account the sustainable and ethical sourcing of these ingredients. Secondly, TCM-WM interactions occur when a medication and an herb or herbal supplement influence each other’s pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics. These interactions can either enhance or decrease the effectiveness of the drug or herb, lead to unexpected side effects, or even produce toxic reactions. Third, despite the efficacy of TCM in tumor treatment has been well demonstrated, its underlying mechanisms have still not been fully elucidated. The occurrence and development of AML have been extensively linked to the imbalance of epigenetic modification in numerous studies, yet further research is still required to elucidate how TCM exerts its regulatory role. Furthermore, the objective, scientific, and systematic evaluation of the effectiveness of cancer treatment remains a big challenge in clinical trials design for TCM, which hinders the international development of TCM for cancer treatment. The tumor response evaluation system in TCM is gradually consistent with WM, as both emphasize the integration of soft endpoints (such as quality of life and clinical benefits) and hard endpoints (such as tumor remission rate and progression time). However, the research on cancer treatment with TCM still should adhere to its own theoretical and clinical systems, minimizing passive imitation of WM, in order to establish a cancer treatment model with Chinese characteristics. Establishing chinese medicine characteristic tumor response evaluation system is the key to promote internationalization of chinese medicine oncology.
Combining TCM with current epigenetic drugs (e.g., azacitidine, decitabine) offers a promising multi-targeted approach, which could address the complexities and heterogeneity of AML. Both TCM compounds and epigenetic drugs aim to modify disease processes at the molecular level, and their combination could lead to synergistic therapeutic effects. Some TCM compounds might enhance the efficacy of epigenetic drugs by affecting complementary pathways. For example, certain Chinese herbs are believed to modulate DNA methylation or histone modifications, which could strengthen the effects of epigenetic drugs targeting these processes. Resistance to therapy is a significant challenge in AML treatment. Combining TCM with epigenetic drugs might reduce the likelihood of resistance developing, as the multi-targeted approach makes it harder for cancer cells to bypass therapeutic blockades. Maintenance therapy for AML has undergone a transition from conventional chemotherapy drugs to targeted therapy and immunotherapy, representing one of the efficacious strategies in managing relapse in AML. The successful clinical trial of oral azacitidine (QUAZAR) suggests that maintenance therapy with survival benefits holds significant potential. TCM has long been used to alleviate side effects and improve the body’s resilience, which may serves as maintenance drug in AML therapy to improved overall survival and quality of life for AML patients, as well as enhance the body’s natural ability to recognize and attack AML cells. Besides, by detecting changes in epigenetic markers in AML patients, the disease progression of patients can be more accurately assessed, providing a crucial foundation for formulating personalized treatment plans. Through analysis of a patient’s epigenetic lineage, appropriate therapeutic targets and drug combinations can be selected, ultimately enhancing treatment efficacy while minimizing adverse reactions. This comprehensive approach represents a promising new direction for addressing hematologic malignancies like AML.
5 Conclusion
Aberrant epigenetic regulation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis and progression of AML, particularly involving DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and dysregulated miRNA expression. Numerous TCM and their active constituents have demonstrated epigenetic modulatory effects in the treatment of AML. With the rapid advance on sequencing technology, the disease progression of AML patients will be more accurately assessed to formulate personalized therapy, ultimately enhancing treatment efficacy while minimizing adverse reactions. Additionally, the integration of TCM and modern epigenetic therapy represents a promising strategy for the treatment of AML, which is expected to yield significant clinical benefits.
Author contributions
XG: Writing–original draft, Writing–review and editing. XZ: Writing–original draft, Writing–review and editing. TM: Writing–original draft, Writing–review and editing. YW: Writing–original draft, Writing–review and editing. YH: Writing–original draft, Writing–review and editing. BJ: Writing–original draft, Writing–review and editing.
Funding
The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (11635014), the project of the PLA Naval Medical University (2021QN20), and the project of Naval Medical Center of PLA (20M0808).
Acknowledgments
We sincerely thank all of our colleagues for their generous support.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Publisher’s note
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Keywords: acute myeloid leukemia, hematological malignancy, epigenetics, traditional Chinese medicine, bioactive compounds
Citation: Gao X, Zuo X, Min T, Wan Y, He Y and Jiang B (2024) Traditional Chinese medicine for acute myelocytic leukemia therapy: exploiting epigenetic targets. Front. Pharmacol. 15:1388903. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1388903
Received: 20 February 2024; Accepted: 14 May 2024;
Published: 04 June 2024.
Edited by:
Jiye Liu, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, United StatesReviewed by:
Sathish Kumar Reddy Padi, UCONN Health, United StatesSu-Peng Yeh, China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan
Copyright © 2024 Gao, Zuo, Min, Wan, He and Jiang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Ying He, yinghe_hys@163.com; Beier Jiang, 674358923@qq.com