A new therapeutic target for leukemia comes to the surface.
Expression of the cell-surface protein CD47 allows some normal cells to avoid phagocytosis by macrophages. In this issue, Jaiswal et al. (2009) and Majeti et al. (2009) show that elevated CD47 expression by leukemic stem cells inhibits macrophage activity and is an indicator of poor prognosis for patients with acute myeloid leukemia.
Ritchie
David S
DS
Division of Haematology and Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, 3002, Victoria, Australia. david.ritchie@petermac.org
Smyth
Mark J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D051928:CD47 Antigen / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D010587:Phagocytosis
D051928:CD47 Antigen