Emerging targets for hematological malignancies.
Molecularly targeted therapies have been increasingly incorporated into standard treatment regimens for the majority of hematological malignancies. To increase the efficacy of the next generation of drugs, research efforts have been aimed at identifying molecular defects specific to leukemic cells. A significant therapeutic opportunity is represented by the possibility of selectively eradicating the leukemic stem cell pool. This review focuses on new insights regarding oncogenetic mechanisms in hematological malignancies and related possible druggable targets, including the pathways leading to leukemic stem cell maintenance and the specific approaches used to eliminate them.
Cilloni
Daniela
D
University of Turin, San Luigi Hospital, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano-Torino, Italy. daniela.cilloni@unito.it
Frassoni
Francesco
F
Saglio
Giuseppe
G
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D018841:HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D019098:Telomerase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018841:HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D014157:Transcription Factors; D011494:Protein Kinases; D019098:Telomerase