BIIB021, an Hsp90 inhibitor, effectively kills a myelodysplastic syndrome cell line via the activation of caspases and inhibition of PI3K/Akt and NF-κB pathway proteins.

The novel orally available inhibitor of the molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), BIIB021, induces the apoptosis of various types of tumor cell and . However, the effects and mechanisms of this agent on myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) cell lines remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of BIIB021 on SKM-1 cells (a MDS cell line) and examine its mechanisms of action. The results showed that BIIB021 inhibited the growth of SKM-1 cells effectively . The treatment of SKM-1 cells with BIIB021 resulted in the inhibition of cell growth through G0/G1-phase cell cycle arrest and induced apoptosis by activating caspase-3, -8 and -9. Furthermore, this study also demonstrated that the mechanisms of apoptosis in SKM-1 cells were associated with the suppression of the phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase/Akt and nuclear factor-κB signaling pathways. Therefore, the findings indicate a novel approach for the treatment of high-risk MDS.