Chronic myeloid leukemia.
Progress has been made in understanding BCR-ABL-positive leukemias. A new transcript (p230BCR-ABL) has been characterized that is associated with Ph-positive chronic neutrophilic leukemia. The ATM protein appears to be a regulator of ABL activity in response to irradiation damage. Pathways linking BCR-ABL to the BCL-2 family of proteins may be active in Philadelphia-positive cells and inhibit apoptosis. The 62-kD protein constitutively phosphorylated in chronic myeloid leukemia progenitors has been cloned. Ph-negative long-term culture-initiating cells are detectable in many chronic myeloid leukemia patients. The combination of interferon alfa and cytarabine appears to be superior to interferon alfa alone. Autografting with in vivo-purged stem cells may induce prolonged remissions. Specific inhibitors of the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase are becoming available.
Deininger
M W
MW
Department of Haematology, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
Goldman
J M
JM
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / Q000235:genetics; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl