Unlocking the potential of anti-CD33 therapy in adult and childhood acute myeloid leukaemia

Laing, A. A., Harrison, C. J., Gibson, B. E.S. and Keeshan, K. (2017) Unlocking the potential of anti-CD33 therapy in adult and childhood acute myeloid leukaemia. Experimental Hematology, 54, pp. 40-50. (doi: 10.1016/j.exphem.2017.06.007) (PMID:28668350)

Abstract

Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) develops when there is a block in differentiation and uncontrolled proliferation of myeloid precursors, resulting in bone marrow failure. AML is a heterogeneous disease clinically, morphologically, and genetically, and biological differences between adult and childhood AML have been identified. AML comprises 15-20% of all children less than fifteen years diagnosed with acute leukaemia. Relapse occurs in up to 40% of children with AML and is the commonest cause of death.1,2 Relapse arises from leukaemic stem cells (LSCs) that persist after conventional chemotherapy. The treatment of AML is challenging and new strategies to target LSCs are required. The cell surface marker CD33 has been identified as a therapeutic target, and novel anti-CD33 immunotherapies are promising new agents in the treatment of AML. This review will summarise recent developments emphasising the genetic differences in adult and childhood AML, while highlighting the rationale for CD33 as a target for therapy, in all age groups.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Laing, Dr Alison and Keeshan, Dr Karen and Gibson, Professor Brenda
• Authors: Laing, A. A., Harrison, C. J., Gibson, B. E.S., and Keeshan, K.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
• Journal Name: Experimental Hematology
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0301-472X
• ISSN (Online): 1873-2399
• Published Online: 28 June 2017
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 ISEH - International Society for Experimental Hematology
• First Published: First published in Experimental Hematology 54: 40-50
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy