The microenvironment in hairy cell leukemia: pathways and potential therapeutic targets

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) cells accumulate and proliferate in the spleen and the bone marrow. In these tissue compartments, HCL cells interact with accessory cells, matrix proteins, and various cyctokines, collectively referred to as the 'microenvironment.' Surface receptors expressed on HCL cells and respective stromal ligands are critical for this cross-talk between HCL cells and the microenvironment. Chemokine receptors, adhesion molecules (integrins, CD44), the B cell antigen receptor (BCR), and CD40, expressed on the HCL cells, are likely to be critical for homing, retention, survival, and expansion of the neoplastic B cells. Some of these pathways are now targeted in first clinical trials in other mature B-cell malignancies. We summarize key aspects of the cellular and molecular interactions between HCL cells and their microenvironment. Also, we outline future prospects for therapeutic targeting of the microenvironment in HCL, focusing on CXCR4 and kinase inhibitors (Syk, Btk, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase [PI3K]) that target B cell receptor signaling.