Gab2 deficiency prevents Flt3-ITD driven acute myeloid leukemia in vivo

Signaling networks guiding erythropoiesis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cytokine-mediated signaling pathways, including JAK/STAT, PI3K/AKT, and Ras/MAPK pathways, play an important role in the process of erythropoiesis. These pathways are involved in the survival, proliferation, and differentiation function of erythropoiesis.

RECENT FINDINGS

The JAK/STAT pathway controls erythroid progenitor differentiation, proliferation, and survival. The PI3K/AKT signaling cascade facilitates erythroid progenitor survival, proliferation, and final differentiation. During erythroid maturation, MAPK, triggered by EPO, suppresses myeloid genes, while PI3K is essential for differentiation. Pro-inflammatory cytokines activate signaling pathways that can alter erythropoiesis like EPOR-triggered signaling, including survival, differentiation, and proliferation.

SUMMARY

A comprehensive understanding of signaling networks is crucial for the formulation of treatment approaches for hematologic disorders. Further investigation is required to fully understand the mechanisms and interactions of these signaling pathways in erythropoiesis.

Gab2 promotes the growth of colorectal cancer by regulating the M2 polarization of tumor‑associated macrophages

Tumor‑associated macrophages (TAMs) are pivotal components in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression, markedly influencing the tumor microenvironment through their polarization into the pro‑inflammatory M1 or pro‑tumorigenic M2 phenotypes. Recent studies have highlighted that the Grb2‑associated binder 2 (Gab2) is a critical gene involved in the development of various types of tumor, including CRC. However, the precise role of Gab2 in mediating TAM polarization remains incompletely elucidated. In the present study, it was discovered that Gab2 was highly expressed within CRC tissue TAMs, and was associated with a poor prognosis of patients with CRC. Functionally, it was identified that the tumor‑conditioned medium (TCM) induced Gab2 expression, facilitating the TAMs towards an M2‑like phenotype polarization. Of note, the suppression of Gab2 expression using shRNA markedly inhibited the TCM‑induced expression of M2‑associated molecules, without affecting M1‑type markers. Furthermore, the xenotransplantation model demonstrated that Gab2 deficiency in TAMs inhibited tumor growth in the mouse model of CRC. Mechanistically, Gab2 induced the M2 polarization of TAMs by regulating the AKT and ERK signaling pathways, promoting CRC growth and metastasis. In summary, the present study study elucidates that decreasing Gab2 expression hinders the transition of TAMs towards the M2 phenotype, thereby suppressing the growth of CRC. The exploration of the regulatory mechanisms of Gab2 in TAM polarization may enhance the current understanding of the core molecular pathways of CRC development and may thus provide a foundation for the development of novel immunotherapeutic strategies targeted against TAMs.

Mast cell deficiency prevents BCR::ABL1 induced splenomegaly and cytokine elevation in a CML mouse model

The persistence of leukemic stem cells (LSCs) represents a problem in the therapy of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Hence, it is of utmost importance to explore the underlying mechanisms to develop new therapeutic approaches to cure CML. Using the genetically engineered ScltTA/TRE-BCR::ABL1 mouse model for chronic phase CML, we previously demonstrated that the loss of the docking protein GAB2 counteracts the infiltration of mast cells (MCs) in the bone marrow (BM) of BCR::ABL1 positive mice. Here, we show for the first time that BCR::ABL1 drives the cytokine independent expansion of BM derived MCs and sensitizes them for FcεRI triggered degranulation. Importantly, we demonstrate that genetic mast cell deficiency conferred by the Cpa3Cre allele prevents BCR::ABL1 induced splenomegaly and impairs the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, we show in CML patients that splenomegaly is associated with high BM MC counts and that upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in patient serum samples correlates with tryptase levels. Finally, MC-associated transcripts were elevated in human CML BM samples. Thus, our study identifies MCs as essential contributors to disease progression and suggests considering them as an additional target in CML therapy. Mast cells play a key role in the pro-inflammatory tumor microenvironment of the bone marrow. Shown is a cartoon summarizing our results from the mouse model. BCR::ABL1 transformed MCs, as part of the malignant clone, are essential for the elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, known to be important in disease initiation and progression.

Therapeutic Targeting of FLT3 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Current Status and Novel Approaches

FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is mutated in approximately 30% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. The presence of FLT3-ITD (internal tandem duplication, 20-25%) mutation and, to a lesser extent, FLT3-TKD (tyrosine kinase domain, 5-10%) mutation is associated with poorer diagnosis and therapy response since the leukemic cells become hyperproliferative and resistant to apoptosis after continuous activation of FLT3 signaling. Targeting FLT3 has been the focus of many pre-clinical and clinical studies. Hence, many small-molecule FLT3 inhibitors (FLT3is) have been developed, some of which are approved such as midostaurin and gilteritinib to be used in different clinical settings, either in combination with chemotherapy or alone. However, many questions regarding the best treatment strategy remain to be answered. On the other hand, various FLT3-dependent and -independent resistance mechanisms could be evolved during FLT3i therapy which limit their clinical impact. Therefore, identifying molecular mechanisms of resistance and developing novel strategies to overcome this obstacle is a current interest in the field. In this review, recent studies of approved FLT3i and knowledge about major resistance mechanisms of clinically approved FLT3i's will be discussed together with novel treatment approaches such as designing novel FLT3i and dual FLT3i and combination strategies including approved FLT3i plus small-molecule agents targeting altered molecules in the resistant cells to abrogate resistance. Moreover, how to choose an appropriate FLT3i for the patients will be summarized based on what is currently known from available clinical data. In addition, strategies beyond FLT3i's including immunotherapeutics, small-molecule FLT3 degraders, and flavonoids will be summarized to highlight potential alternatives in FLT3-mutated AML therapy.