CML: a model for targeted therapy.
The discovery of the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome represented the first step towards understanding the molecular basis of haematological malignancies. Subsequent developments including the characterisation of t(9;22)(q34;q11) translocation, the identification of the breakpoint cluster region as well as the demonstration that retrovirally mediated insertion of a human BCR-ABL gene into murine haematopoietic stem cells induced a leukaemia-like picture and the creation of BCR-ABL transgenic mice established the central role of BCR-ABL in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) beyond all reasonable doubt. Many years later an important goal was achieved, that is, the use of BCR-ABL as a therapeutic target. However, it is uncertain whether the BCR-ABL fusion gene is really the initiating lesion for the chronic phase of CML. There is an incomplete understanding of the so-called genomic instability that underlies the production of the fusion gene and predisposes the Ph-positive clone to acquire further genetic events leading to advanced-phase disease.
Cilloni
Daniela
D
Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Saglio
Giuseppe
G
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001549:Benzamides; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051379:Mice; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl