Targeting the c-kit receptor in the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia

Curr Hematol Malig Rep. 2006 Jun;1(2):101-7. doi: 10.1007/s11899-006-0020-9.

Abstract

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a difficult disease to treat. Novel treatment strategies, including molecular targeted therapy, are being explored. The c-kit receptor represents a potential therapeutic target for AML. The receptor is expressed on more than 10% of blasts in 64% of patients with de novo AML and 95% of those with relapsed AML. It mediates proliferation and anti-apoptotic effects in AML. This review discusses the biology of c-kit in normal and malignant hematopoiesis and the recent clinical trials targeting c-kit in AML.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cell Division / physiology
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Hematopoiesis / drug effects
  • Hematopoiesis / physiology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / enzymology
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / drug therapy*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / enzymology
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / genetics
  • Middle Aged
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic
  • Neoplasm Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / physiology
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / enzymology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / physiology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit