Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
The Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome, a short chromosome 22, is the most frequent cytogenetic abnormality in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It occurs in approximately 20% to 30% of adults and in about 5% of children with this disease. The incidence rises with age and occurs in approximately 50% of patients older than 50 years. This article reviews the treatment regimens for Ph+ ALL, including imatinib and second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The introduction of effective TKIs in the treatment of Ph+ ALL has introduced several avenues of research in a disease that was hitherto difficult to treat.
Ravandi
Farhad
F
Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 428, Houston, TX 77030, USA. fravandi@mdanderson.org
Kebriaei
Partow
P
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D010677:Philadelphia Chromosome; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*