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The role of microenvironment in the initiation and evolution of B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Garcia-Gimenez, Alicia 
Richardson, Simon E 

Abstract

B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) is a malignant disorder of immature B lineage immune progenitors and is the commonest cancer in children. Despite treatment advances it remains a leading cause of death in childhood and response rates in adults remain poor. A preleukemic state predisposing children to BCP-ALL frequently arises in utero, with an incidence far higher than that of transformed leukemia, offering the potential for early intervention to prevent disease. Understanding the natural history of this disease requires an appreciation of how cell-extrinsic pressures, including microenvironment, immune surveillance and chemotherapy direct cell-intrinsic genetic and epigenetic evolution. In this review, we outline how microenvironmental factors interact with BCP-ALL at different stages of tumorigenesis and highlight emerging therapeutic avenues.

Description

Peer reviewed: True

Keywords

B- cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL), chemoresistance, epigenetics, microenvironment, tumor evolution

Journal Title

Front Oncol

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2234-943X
2234-943X

Volume Title

Publisher

Frontiers Media SA
Sponsorship
Cancer Research UK (A25117)
Wellcome Trust (203151/Z/16/Z)