Relationship between Cellular Senescence and Redox Potential on Adult T-Cell Leukemia Cells

Human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) is a human retrovirus and an etiologic agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL/ ATLL). The subtypes acute and lymphoma have a poor prognosis with median survival rate of approximately 6 months. Some excellent therapeutic strategies for ATL are required. Retinoids [all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and tamibarotene (Am-80) have been reported to inhibit the in vitro growth of HTLV-1 [+] T-cell lines and that of fresh cells obtained from patients with adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). We showed a clinical efficacy of retinoid therapy in treating ATL has also been evaluated. Further, we found that retinoid induced cellular senescence on ATL cells and tight relationship between cellular senescence and redox potential on ATL cells.