Induction of apoptosis in leukemic cell lines treated with captopril, trandolapril and losartan: A new role in the treatment of leukaemia for these agents

Renin–angiotensin system (RAS) in the bone marrow is related to proliferation and cellular differentiation. We investigated the effect of ACE inhibitors (ACEI) captopril (>1 mM) and trandolapril (>0.05 mM) and losartan (0.2 mM) on K562 cell line and K562 transfected with c-myc, bcl-x and bcl-2 (KmycB, Kbclx and Kbcl2 respectively). RAS components, proliferation, apoptosis and c-myc expression were analyzed. ACEI and losartan inhibited cell growth, decreased c-myc expression and increased apoptosis. These effects seem to be associated to angiotensin II-induced Smad activation. This work offers a new possible line of treatment for some acute myeloid leukemias and a new area of clinical research.