Molecular pathways: targeting phosphoinositide 3-kinase p110-delta in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

SEM Herman, AJ Johnson - Clinical Cancer Research, 2012 - AACR
Clinical Cancer Research, 2012AACR
The advent of targeted therapy, specifically to the B-cell receptor (BCR), has changed the
convention for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The phosphoinositide 3-
kinase (PI3K) pathway, activated upstream by the BCR, receptor tyrosine kinases, and
cytokine receptors, has been a potential target for a multitude of cancers, but until the recent
introduction of isoform-specific inhibitors has not been widely used. In this review, we focus
on describing the intricate upstream and downstream signaling, leading to cell survival …
Abstract
The advent of targeted therapy, specifically to the B-cell receptor (BCR), has changed the convention for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, activated upstream by the BCR, receptor tyrosine kinases, and cytokine receptors, has been a potential target for a multitude of cancers, but until the recent introduction of isoform-specific inhibitors has not been widely used. In this review, we focus on describing the intricate upstream and downstream signaling, leading to cell survival mediated by PI3K in B cells with a specific focus on the impact and importance of the p110δ isoform (which is localized to hematopoietic cells and regulates distinct cellular functions in B cells). In addition, the clinical advances from targeting p110δ are described, with a focus on clinical outcome, toxicities, and rational combination therapies. The experiences with p110δ in CLL have led to a more fundamental understanding of CLL signaling defects and may be predictive of other BCR-directed therapeutics. Clin Cancer Res; 18(15); 4013–8. ©2012 AACR.
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