Imatinib mesylate can help to direct natural immunity toward an anti-leukemic reactivity by acting on the bone marrow microenvironment.
We discuss our recent findings on the increase, in chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with imatinib, of B1 lymphocytes producing IgM anti-O-linked sugars expressed by leukemic cells, paralleled by increased B-stimulating cytokines. We propose that one important effect of imatinib treatment is due to the remodelling of bone marrow microenvironment.
Unit of Molecular Oncology and Angiogenesis; San Martino Hospital-National Institute for Cancer Research; University of Genoa; Genoa, Italy.
Alessandro
A
Poggi
Maria Raffaella
MR
Zocchi