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Advances in the molecular pathobiology of B-lymphoblastic leukemia

Publication ,  Journal Article
Zhou, Y; You, MJ; Young, KH; Lin, P; Lu, G; Medeiros, LJ; Bueso-Ramos, CE
Published in: Human Pathology
January 1, 2012

B-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, also known as B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia, is derived from B-cell progenitors. B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia occurs predominantly in children, but can occur at any age. Risk-adapted intensive chemotherapy is effective in treating most children with B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but this approach is less successful in adults. Recent developments in genome-wide genetic analysis in B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia have provided insights into disease pathogenesis and prognosis. B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia cases usually carry a primary genetic event, often a chromosome translocation, and a constellation of secondary genetic alterations that are acquired and selected dynamically in a nonlinear fashion. These genetic changes commonly affect cellular mechanisms that control B-cell differentiation and proliferation. The cooperative interaction between inactivation of hematopoietic transcription factors involved in differentiation (class II mutation) and activating mutations involved in cell proliferation (class I mutation) is reminiscent of the pathogenic model of acute myeloid leukemia. The resulting improved molecular understanding of B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia is helping to refine disease risk stratification and discover new therapeutic approaches for patients with refractory disease. In this review, we first summarize the clinicopathologic and immunophenotypic features of B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia and introduce current understanding of B-cell development and B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia leukemogenesis. We then focus on recent advances in genetic analysis and gene expression profiling of B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia and discuss the implications of these findings for disease evolution, risk prediction, and possible novel therapeutic approaches. © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Published In

Human Pathology

DOI

EISSN

1532-8392

ISSN

0046-8177

Publication Date

January 1, 2012

Volume

43

Issue

9

Start / End Page

1347 / 1362

Related Subject Headings

  • Pathology
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Zhou, Y., You, M. J., Young, K. H., Lin, P., Lu, G., Medeiros, L. J., & Bueso-Ramos, C. E. (2012). Advances in the molecular pathobiology of B-lymphoblastic leukemia. Human Pathology, 43(9), 1347–1362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humpath.2012.02.004
Zhou, Y., M. J. You, K. H. Young, P. Lin, G. Lu, L. J. Medeiros, and C. E. Bueso-Ramos. “Advances in the molecular pathobiology of B-lymphoblastic leukemia.” Human Pathology 43, no. 9 (January 1, 2012): 1347–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humpath.2012.02.004.
Zhou Y, You MJ, Young KH, Lin P, Lu G, Medeiros LJ, et al. Advances in the molecular pathobiology of B-lymphoblastic leukemia. Human Pathology. 2012 Jan 1;43(9):1347–62.
Zhou, Y., et al. “Advances in the molecular pathobiology of B-lymphoblastic leukemia.” Human Pathology, vol. 43, no. 9, Jan. 2012, pp. 1347–62. Scopus, doi:10.1016/j.humpath.2012.02.004.
Zhou Y, You MJ, Young KH, Lin P, Lu G, Medeiros LJ, Bueso-Ramos CE. Advances in the molecular pathobiology of B-lymphoblastic leukemia. Human Pathology. 2012 Jan 1;43(9):1347–1362.
Journal cover image

Published In

Human Pathology

DOI

EISSN

1532-8392

ISSN

0046-8177

Publication Date

January 1, 2012

Volume

43

Issue

9

Start / End Page

1347 / 1362

Related Subject Headings

  • Pathology
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences