PS06. MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR PATHOGENESIS OF CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA
DIMITAR EFREMOV ICGEB Hematology Group - Monterotondo Outstation, CNR Campus "A. Buzzati-Traverso", Rome, Italy e-mail: efremov@icgeb.org
*Corresponding Author:
page: 17

Abstract

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is the most common adult leukemia in the western hemisphere. It manifests with a variable clinical course that is characterized by progressive disease and short survival in approximately half of the cases and a relatively stable disease and normal life span in the remaining patients. In recent years, several features of the B-cell receptor (BCR) have been identified as major prognostic determinants in CLL, indicating an important role for antigen-stimulation in the pathogenesis of this disorder. In particular, the leukemic B-cells in patients with progressive disease typically express BCRs encoded by unmutated immunoglobulin variable heavy chain (VH) genes, whereas the VH genes are mutated in most patients with stable disease. Patients with progressive disease also usually express the protein tyrosine kinase ZAP-70, which is highly homologous to Syk, a key mediator of proximal BCR signaling. Additional support for a role of the BCR in the pathogenesis of aggressive CLL comes from the observation that the leukemic immunoglobulins in these patients are often encoded by identical VH/VL gene combinations, indicating that they have been stimulated and selected by a very limited set of antigens. Finally, engagement of the BCR by antigen induces activation of the PI3K/Akt and Raf/MEK/ERK pathways, which have been shown to play a prominent role in promoting the growth and survival of the leukemic B-cells. As such, the BCR and its downstream signalling pathways appear as attractive candidates for targeted therapy of CLL.



Number 27
VOL. 27 (2), 2024
Number 27
VOL. 27 (1), 2024
Number 26
Number 26 VOL. 26(2), 2023 All in one
Number 26
VOL. 26(2), 2023
Number 26
VOL. 26, 2023 Supplement
Number 26
VOL. 26(1), 2023
Number 25
VOL. 25(2), 2022
Number 25
VOL. 25 (1), 2022
Number 24
VOL. 24(2), 2021
Number 24
VOL. 24(1), 2021
Number 23
VOL. 23(2), 2020
Number 22
VOL. 22(2), 2019
Number 22
VOL. 22(1), 2019
Number 22
VOL. 22, 2019 Supplement
Number 21
VOL. 21(2), 2018
Number 21
VOL. 21 (1), 2018
Number 21
VOL. 21, 2018 Supplement
Number 20
VOL. 20 (2), 2017
Number 20
VOL. 20 (1), 2017
Number 19
VOL. 19 (2), 2016
Number 19
VOL. 19 (1), 2016
Number 18
VOL. 18 (2), 2015
Number 18
VOL. 18 (1), 2015
Number 17
VOL. 17 (2), 2014
Number 17
VOL. 17 (1), 2014
Number 16
VOL. 16 (2), 2013
Number 16
VOL. 16 (1), 2013
Number 15
VOL. 15 (2), 2012
Number 15
VOL. 15, 2012 Supplement
Number 15
Vol. 15 (1), 2012
Number 14
14 - Vol. 14 (2), 2011
Number 14
The 9th Balkan Congress of Medical Genetics
Number 14
14 - Vol. 14 (1), 2011
Number 13
Vol. 13 (2), 2010
Number 13
Vol.13 (1), 2010
Number 12
Vol.12 (2), 2009
Number 12
Vol.12 (1), 2009
Number 11
Vol.11 (2),2008
Number 11
Vol.11 (1),2008
Number 10
Vol.10 (2), 2007
Number 10
10 (1),2007
Number 9
1&2, 2006
Number 9
3&4, 2006
Number 8
1&2, 2005
Number 8
3&4, 2004
Number 7
1&2, 2004
Number 6
3&4, 2003
Number 6
1&2, 2003
Number 5
3&4, 2002
Number 5
1&2, 2002
Number 4
Vol.3 (4), 2000
Number 4
Vol.2 (4), 1999
Number 4
Vol.1 (4), 1998
Number 4
3&4, 2001
Number 4
1&2, 2001
Number 3
Vol.3 (3), 2000
Number 3
Vol.2 (3), 1999
Number 3
Vol.1 (3), 1998
Number 2
Vol.3(2), 2000
Number 2
Vol.1 (2), 1998
Number 2
Vol.2 (2), 1999
Number 1
Vol.3 (1), 2000
Number 1
Vol.2 (1), 1999
Number 1
Vol.1 (1), 1998

 

 


 About the journal ::: Editorial ::: Subscription ::: Information for authors ::: Contact
 Copyright © Balkan Journal of Medical Genetics 2006