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Updated: May 24, 2026
Pre-clinical Evaluation of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Treatment of Acute Leukemia
Published on: September 18, 2013
Protein kinases: emerging therapeutic targets in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Kumudha Balakrishnan1, Varsha Gandhi
1The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Houston, TX 77030, USA. kbalakr@mdanderson.org
Introduction:
Although protein kinases are primary targets for inhibition in hematological malignancies, until recently their contribution to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was poorly understood. Insights into B-cell receptor signaling and its role in regulating key cellular functions have shed light on candidate protein kinases that are aberrantly activated in CLL. In this regard, protein kinases are now considered as potential drug targets in CLL.
Area Covered:
This review has covered signaling pathways and associated protein kinases in CLL and the kinase inhibitors currently available in preclinical and clinical investigations. Individual protein kinases that are abnormally active in CLL and the functional consequences of their inhibition are discussed.
Expert Opinion:
A growing body of evidence suggests that protein kinases are druggable targets for patients with CLL. The emergence of novel and bio-available kinase inhibitors and their promising clinical activity in CLL underscore the oncogenic role of kinases in leukemogenesis. Further investigations directed towards their role as single agents or in combinations may provide insight into understanding the substantial role of kinase-mediated signal transduction pathways and their inhibition in B- CLL.
Insights
Protein kinases are key targets for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treatment. Novel kinase inhibitors show promise, highlighting the importance of targeting these pathways in B-cell malignancies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Hematology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Protein kinases are crucial in hematological malignancies.
- Their role in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was previously unclear.
- B-cell receptor signaling insights identified aberrant kinases in CLL.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review signaling pathways and protein kinases in CLL.
- To discuss current preclinical and clinical kinase inhibitors for CLL.
- To highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting kinases in CLL.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of signaling pathways in CLL.
- Analysis of protein kinases abnormally active in CLL.
- Discussion of functional consequences of kinase inhibition.
Main Results:
- Several protein kinases are aberrantly activated in CLL.
- Kinase inhibitors are under investigation for CLL treatment.
- Promising preclinical and clinical data exist for kinase inhibitors.
Conclusions:
- Protein kinases represent druggable targets for CLL patients.
- Emerging kinase inhibitors demonstrate clinical activity in CLL.
- Further research on kinase inhibition is crucial for understanding CLL pathogenesis.
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