title: Targeting chronic myeloid leukemia stem cells.
abstract: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) arises as a consequence of a chromosomal translocation giving rise to the Philadelphia chromosome and Bcr-Abl oncogene. CML is a clonal disease of stem cell origin and an excellent example of a malignancy in which tumor-initiating cells may hold the key to disease eradication. The known molecular basis of CML has enabled the development of Abl-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as imatinib mesylate. However, the success of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, as rationally designed first-line therapies, has been tempered by problems of disease persistence and resistance. Residual disease has been shown to be enriched within the stem cell compartment and to persist at stable levels for up to 5 years of complete cytogenetic response. This finding has led to further searches for novel strategies aimed at eliminating these cells; such strategies may be essential in achieving cure. The most significant recent findings are discussed in this review.
authors.affiliation: Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Gartnavel General Hospital, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. gvh3y@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
authors.forename: G Vignir
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Helgason
authors.forename: Graham A R
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Tessa L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Holyoake
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism; D001549:Benzamides; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl