title: New approaches to the management of Philadelphia-chromosome-positive acute lymphocytic leukemia.
abstract: The discovery of targeted ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors has allowed significant advances in the treatment of de novo Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive ALL. Whereas the outcome with standard chemotherapy was previously dismal, the use of imatinib in front-line therapy has improved relapse-free survival and overall survival, even in the absence of allogeneic stem cell transplantation in first complete remission (particularly for those with comorbidities or lack of a suitable donor). However, the emergence of resistance to imatinib presents a new therapeutic challenge. Novel tyrosine kinase inhibitors with enhanced inhibitory potency against ABL and other kinases may further improve on the results observed with imatinib. Optimal use of these novel agents in the treatment schema of Ph-positive ALL will be paramount in ensuring continued success in the eradication of this disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA. debthomas@mdanderson.org
authors.forename: Deborah A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cortes
authors.forename: Hagop
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kantarjian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001549:Benzamides; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl