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Aureli A, Marziani B, Venditti A, Sconocchia T, Sconocchia G. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Immunotherapy Treatment: Now, Next, and Beyond. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3346. [PMID: 37444456 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a blood cancer that primarily affects children but also adults. It is due to the malignant proliferation of lymphoid precursor cells that invade the bone marrow and can spread to extramedullary sites. ALL is divided into B cell (85%) and T cell lineages (10 to 15%); rare cases are associated with the natural killer (NK) cell lineage (<1%). To date, the survival rate in children with ALL is excellent while in adults continues to be poor. Despite the therapeutic progress, there are subsets of patients that still have high relapse rates after chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and an unsatisfactory cure rate. Hence, the identification of more effective and safer therapy choices represents a primary issue. In this review, we will discuss novel therapeutic options including bispecific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-based therapies, and other promising treatments for both pediatric and adult patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Aureli
- CNR Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Via Carducci 32, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Beatrice Marziani
- Emergency Medicine Department, Sant'Anna University Hospital, Via A. Moro, 8, Cona, 44124 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Adriano Venditti
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, The University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Tommaso Sconocchia
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Giuseppe Sconocchia
- CNR Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Via Carducci 32, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
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Zerella JR, Homan CC, Arts P, Brown AL, Scott HS, Hahn CN. Transcription factor genetics and biology in predisposition to bone marrow failure and hematological malignancy. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1183318. [PMID: 37377909 PMCID: PMC10291195 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1183318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) play a critical role as key mediators of a multitude of developmental pathways, with highly regulated and tightly organized networks crucial for determining both the timing and pattern of tissue development. TFs can act as master regulators of both primitive and definitive hematopoiesis, tightly controlling the behavior of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). These networks control the functional regulation of HSPCs including self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation dynamics, which are essential to normal hematopoiesis. Defining the key players and dynamics of these hematopoietic transcriptional networks is essential to understanding both normal hematopoiesis and how genetic aberrations in TFs and their networks can predispose to hematopoietic disease including bone marrow failure (BMF) and hematological malignancy (HM). Despite their multifaceted and complex involvement in hematological development, advances in genetic screening along with elegant multi-omics and model system studies are shedding light on how hematopoietic TFs interact and network to achieve normal cell fates and their role in disease etiology. This review focuses on TFs which predispose to BMF and HM, identifies potential novel candidate predisposing TF genes, and examines putative biological mechanisms leading to these phenotypes. A better understanding of the genetics and molecular biology of hematopoietic TFs, as well as identifying novel genes and genetic variants predisposing to BMF and HM, will accelerate the development of preventative strategies, improve clinical management and counseling, and help define targeted treatments for these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiarna R. Zerella
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Claire C. Homan
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Pathology, SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Peer Arts
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Pathology, SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Anna L. Brown
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Pathology, SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Hamish S. Scott
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Pathology, SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Christopher N. Hahn
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Pathology, SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Parker J, Hockney S, Blaschuk OW, Pal D. Targeting N-cadherin (CDH2) and the malignant bone marrow microenvironment in acute leukaemia. Expert Rev Mol Med 2023; 25:e16. [PMID: 37132370 PMCID: PMC10407222 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2023.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
This review discusses current research on acute paediatric leukaemia, the leukaemic bone marrow (BM) microenvironment and recently discovered therapeutic opportunities to target leukaemia-niche interactions. The tumour microenvironment plays an integral role in conferring treatment resistance to leukaemia cells, this poses as a key clinical challenge that hinders management of this disease. Here we focus on the role of the cell adhesion molecule N-cadherin (CDH2) within the malignant BM microenvironment and associated signalling pathways that may bear promise as therapeutic targets. Additionally, we discuss microenvironment-driven treatment resistance and relapse, and elaborate the role of CDH2-mediated cancer cell protection from chemotherapy. Finally, we review emerging therapeutic approaches that directly target CDH2-mediated adhesive interactions between the BM cells and leukaemia cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Parker
- Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Sean Hockney
- Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
| | | | - Deepali Pal
- Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Herschel Building Level 6, Brewery Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
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Douglas SPM, Lahtinen AK, Koski JR, Leimi L, Keränen MAI, Koskenvuo M, Heckman CA, Jahnukainen K, Pitkänen E, Wartiovaara-Kautto U, Kilpivaara O. Enrichment of cancer-predisposing germline variants in adult and pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10670. [PMID: 35739278 PMCID: PMC9225984 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14364-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite recent progress in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapies, a significant subset of adult and pediatric ALL patients has a dismal prognosis. Better understanding of leukemogenesis and recognition of germline genetic changes may provide new tools for treating patients. Given that hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, often from a family member, is a major form of treatment in ALL, acknowledging the possibility of hereditary predisposition is of special importance. Reports of comprehensive germline analyses performed in adult ALL patients are scarce. Aiming at fulfilling this gap of knowledge, we investigated variants in 93 genes predisposing to hematologic malignancies and 70 other cancer-predisposing genes from exome data obtained from 61 adult and 87 pediatric ALL patients. Our results show that pathogenic (P) or likely pathogenic (LP) germline variants in genes associated with predisposition to ALL or other cancers are prevalent in ALL patients: 8% of adults and 11% of children. Comparison of P/LP germline variants in patients to population-matched controls (gnomAD Finns) revealed a 2.6-fold enrichment in ALL cases (CI 95% 1.5–4.2, p = 0.00071). Acknowledging inherited factors is crucial, especially when considering hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and planning post-therapy follow-up. Harmful germline variants may also predispose patients to excessive toxicity potentially compromising the outcome. We propose integrating germline genetics into precise ALL patient care and providing families genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suvi P M Douglas
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Atte K Lahtinen
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jessica R Koski
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lilli Leimi
- Children's Hospital, and Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikko A I Keränen
- Department of Hematology, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Minna Koskenvuo
- Division of Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, New Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Caroline A Heckman
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kirsi Jahnukainen
- Children's Hospital, and Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, Solna, Sweden
| | - Esa Pitkänen
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ulla Wartiovaara-Kautto
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. .,Department of Hematology, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Outi Kilpivaara
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. .,Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. .,HUSLAB Laboratory of Genetics, HUS Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
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