title: Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia: therapies under development.
abstract: Although the prognosis of adults with Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has steadily improved over the past decade, less than 50% of patients maintain their remission at 5 years. Several approaches have been explored in the past few years including: monoclonal antibodies - either 'naked' (rituximab) or in combination with an immunotoxin (calicheamicin or maytansin), plant toxin (ricin), or bacterial toxin (Pseudomonas or diphtheria), and a novel bispecific T-cell-engaging antibody (blinatumomab); chimeric antigen therapy using autologous T cells that target CD19-expressing ALL; and novel agents such as proteasome inhibitors, liposomal vincristine, hypomethylating agents, nelarabine and NOTCH1 inhibitors. This review summarizes treatment approaches currently under investigation for the treatment of adult Philadelphia chromosome-negative ALL.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Sameer A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Parikh
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Litzow
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D010677:Philadelphia Chromosome; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
keywords: NOTCH1 inhibitors; chimeric antigen receptor therapy; immunotoxin; novel monoclonal antibodies; proteasome inhibitors