NF-κκB as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. (September 2009)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pepper, Chris; Hewamana, Saman; Brennan, Paul; Fegan, Chris
• Is Part Of: Future oncology. Volume 5:Number 7(2009)
• Page Start: 1027
• Page End: 1037
• Publication Date: 2009-09
• Subjects: chronic lymphocytic leukemia -- NF-κκB -- prognostic markers -- Rel A -- therapy; Oncology -- Periodicals; 616.99405
• DOI: 10.2217/fon.09.72
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-6694

Abstract

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the most common adult leukemia and is currently incurable with conventional chemotherapeutic agents. Over the last few years, significant discoveries have been made regarding the biology that underpins this disease. These new insights have allowed us to develop more rational prognostic tools and identify promising novel therapeutic targets. In this review, we highlight the importance of both constitutive and inducible DNA binding of the transcription factor NF-κκB in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. We describe the current knowledge regarding the activity and function of specific NF-κκB subunits in this disease, and discuss the complex mechanisms that regulate NF-κκB activation in vivo . In addition, we provide compelling evidence for the utility of the NF-κκB subunit, Rel A, as a prognostic marker and as a therapeutic target in this disease, and we also describe how this protein may contribute to the drug resistance commonly encountered with this condition.