title: Signalling to drug resistance in CLL.
abstract: The nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kappaB) signalling pathway is constitutively active in a variety of cancers, including chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). The importance of this signalling pathway identifies it as a prime therapeutic target; however, the complexity and potential side effects of inhibiting NF-kappaB have thus far made the clinical use of NF-kappaB inhibitors a relatively unexplored resource in this disease. This article discusses the role of NF-kappaB in CLL as a common crossroad for pathways promoting drug resistance in CLL. We provide the background on how this pathway contributes to both spontaneous and drug-induced apoptosis. Potential new avenues to regulate this pathway in CLL are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology-Oncology, College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hertlein
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Byrd
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016328:NF-kappa B