Critical signal transduction pathways in CLL

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2013:792:215-39. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4614-8051-8_10.

Abstract

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are cell-surface transmembrane receptors that contain regulated kinase activity within their cytoplasmic domain and play a critical role in signal transduction in both normal and malignant cells. Besides B cell receptor (BCR) signaling in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), multiple RTKs have been reported to be constitutively active in CLL B cells, resulting in enhanced survival and resistance to apoptosis of the leukemic cells induced by chemotherapeutic agents. In addition to increased plasma levels of various types of cytokines/growth factors in CLL, we and others have detected that CLL B cells spontaneously produce multiple cytokines in vitro which may constitute an autocrine loop of RTK activation on the leukemic B cells. Moreover, aberrant expression and activation of non-RTKs, for example, Src/Syk kinases, induce resistance of the leukemic B cells to therapy. Based on current available knowledge, we detailed the impact of aberrant activities of various RTKs/non-RTKs on CLL B cell survival and the potential of using these signaling components as future therapeutic targets in CLL therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / metabolism*
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / physiology*
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / physiology
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / physiology
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*

Substances

  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor