Objectives:  Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an incurable B cell lymphoma, and novel treatment strategies are urgently needed. We evaluated the effects of combined treatment with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib and the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) on MCL. Bortezomib acts by targeting the proteasome, and – among other mechanisms – results in a reduced nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) activity. HDACi promote histone acetylation, and also interfere with NF‐κB signaling.

Methods:  Human MCL cell lines (JeKo‐1, Granta‐519 and Hbl‐2) were exposed to bortezomib and/or SAHA. Cell viability and apoptosis were quantified by the MTT and annexin‐V assay, respectively. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analyzed using the fluorophore H₂DCFDA. In addition, activated caspases, proteasome‐ and NF‐κB activity were quantified.

Results:  Combined incubation with bortezomib and SAHA resulted in synergistic cytotoxic effects, as indicated by combination index values <1 using the median effect method of Chou and Talalay. The combination of both inhibitors led to a strong increase in apoptosis as compared to single agents and was accompanied by enhanced ROS generation, while each agent alone only modestly induced ROS. The free radical scavenger N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine blocked the ROS generation and reduced the apoptosis significantly. In addition, coexposure of bortezomib and SAHA led to increased caspase‐3, ‐8 and ‐9 activity, marked reduction of proteasome activity and decrease of NF‐κB activity.

Conclusions:  This is the first report giving evidence that SAHA and bortezomib synergistically induce apoptosis in MCL cells. These data build the framework for clinical trials using combined proteasome and histone deacetylase inhibition in the treatment of MCL.