Novel antibody-based therapies for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. 2011

Dieter Hoelzer
Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany. hoelzer@em.uni-frankfurt.de

A major breakthrough in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was the availability of targeted therapies targeting either specific transcripts, such as bcr-abl fusion protein by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), or specific antigens by mAbs. ALL blast cells express a variety of specific antigens (eg, CD19, CD20, CD22, CD33, and CD52) that serve as targets for mAbs. To date, the most data are available for anti-CD20 (rituximab), which has been combined with chemotherapy for the treatment of mature B-ALL/Burkitt lymphoma. Studies with rituximab have also been completed in B-precursor ALL. Another antigen, CD19, is of great interest due to a very high rate of expression in ALL. It can be targeted by a bispecific mAb, blinatumomab, directed against CD19 and CD3. Smaller studies or case reports are also available for the anti-CD52 (alemtuzumab), anti-CD22 (epratuzumab), and anti-CD33 (gemtuzumab) mAbs. Available data demonstrate that mAb therapy in ALL is a highly promising treatment approach. However, several details for an optimal treatment approach, such as the required level of antigen expression, timing, schedule, dosage, and stage of disease, still need to be defined.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000912 Antibodies, Neoplasm Immunoglobulins induced by antigens specific for tumors other than the normally occurring HISTOCOMPATIBILITY ANTIGENS. Neoplasm Antibodies,Tumor Antibodies,Antibodies, Tumor
D000951 Antigens, Neoplasm Proteins, glycoprotein, or lipoprotein moieties on surfaces of tumor cells that are usually identified by monoclonal antibodies. Many of these are of either embryonic or viral origin. Neoplasm Antigens,Tumor Antigen,Tumor Antigens,Antigen, Tumor,Antigens, Tumor
D000954 Antigens, Surface Antigens on surfaces of cells, including infectious or foreign cells or viruses. They are usually protein-containing groups on cell membranes or walls and may be isolated. Cell Surface Antigens,Surface Antigens,Surface Markers, Immunological,Cell Surface Antigen,Immunologic Surface Markers,Markers, Immunological Surface,Surface Antigen,Surface Markers, Immunologic,Antigen, Cell Surface,Antigen, Surface,Antigens, Cell Surface,Immunological Surface Markers,Markers, Immunologic Surface,Surface Antigen, Cell,Surface Antigens, Cell
D013601 T-Lymphocytes Lymphocytes responsible for cell-mediated immunity. Two types have been identified - cytotoxic (T-LYMPHOCYTES, CYTOTOXIC) and helper T-lymphocytes (T-LYMPHOCYTES, HELPER-INDUCER). They are formed when lymphocytes circulate through the THYMUS GLAND and differentiate to thymocytes. When exposed to an antigen, they divide rapidly and produce large numbers of new T cells sensitized to that antigen. T Cell,T Lymphocyte,T-Cells,Thymus-Dependent Lymphocytes,Cell, T,Cells, T,Lymphocyte, T,Lymphocyte, Thymus-Dependent,Lymphocytes, T,Lymphocytes, Thymus-Dependent,T Cells,T Lymphocytes,T-Cell,T-Lymphocyte,Thymus Dependent Lymphocytes,Thymus-Dependent Lymphocyte
D054198 Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma A neoplasm characterized by abnormalities of the lymphoid cell precursors leading to excessive lymphoblasts in the marrow and other organs. It is the most common cancer in children and accounts for the vast majority of all childhood leukemias. Leukemia, Lymphoblastic,Leukemia, Lymphoid, Acute,Lymphoblastic Leukemia,Lymphoblastic Lymphoma,Lymphocytic Leukemia, Acute,Lymphoma, Lymphoblastic,ALL, Childhood,Acute Lymphoid Leukemia,Leukemia, Acute Lymphoblastic,Leukemia, Lymphoblastic, Acute,Leukemia, Lymphoblastic, Acute, L1,Leukemia, Lymphoblastic, Acute, L2,Leukemia, Lymphoblastic, Acute, Philadelphia-Positive,Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Acute,Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Acute, L1,Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Acute, L2,Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Acute,Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Acute, Adult,Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Acute, Childhood,Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Acute, L1,Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Acute, L2,Lymphocytic Leukemia, L1,Lymphocytic Leukemia, L2,Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia,Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia,Childhood ALL,L1 Lymphocytic Leukemia,L2 Lymphocytic Leukemia,Leukemia, Acute Lymphocytic,Leukemia, Acute Lymphoid,Leukemia, L1 Lymphocytic,Leukemia, L2 Lymphocytic,Lymphoid Leukemia, Acute,Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia Lymphoma

Related Publications

Dieter Hoelzer
November 2018, Hematology. American Society of Hematology. Education Program,
Dieter Hoelzer
February 2024, Current opinion in pediatrics,
Dieter Hoelzer
July 2009, Current hematologic malignancy reports,
Dieter Hoelzer
June 2019, Best practice & research. Clinical haematology,
Dieter Hoelzer
August 2018, Current hematologic malignancy reports,
Dieter Hoelzer
January 2013, American Society of Clinical Oncology educational book. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Annual Meeting,
Dieter Hoelzer
April 2014, Leukemia & lymphoma,
Dieter Hoelzer
April 2018, Current hematologic malignancy reports,
Dieter Hoelzer
June 2014, Current hematologic malignancy reports,
Copied contents to your clipboard!