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Updated: Jan 18, 2026
Pre-clinical Evaluation of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Treatment of Acute Leukemia
Published on: September 18, 2013
Targeted therapy paves the way for the cure of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Hind Rafei1, Hagop M Kantarjian2, Elias J Jabbour2
1Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
Abstract:
The past decade has witnessed tremendous progress in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), primarily due to the development of targeted therapies, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase, monoclonal antibodies targeting cell surface antigens (CD19, CD20 and CD22), bispecific antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor T- cell therapy. A number of new therapies have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in the past 5 years, including blinatumomab in 2014, inotuzumab ozagamicin in 2017 and tisagenlecleucel in 2017 for relapsed/refractory ALL. This has led to tremendous improvement in long-term survival, of more than 50% in patients with precursor B-ALL [50-70% in patients with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive ALL)], 50-60% in T-ALL and 80% in mature B-ALL. Research is ongoing to optimize the benefit of targeted therapeutics with the goal of decreasing the use of cytotoxic therapies.
Insights
Recent advancements in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment, including targeted therapies and new drug approvals, have significantly improved patient survival rates. Ongoing research aims to further enhance these treatments while reducing reliance on traditional chemotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Immunotherapy
Background:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment has seen significant progress over the last decade.
- This progress is largely attributed to the development of novel targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the advancements in ALL treatment over the past decade.
- To highlight the impact of targeted therapies on patient survival.
- To discuss ongoing research directions in ALL therapeutics.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent clinical trials and FDA-approved therapies for ALL.
- Analysis of survival data for different ALL subtypes treated with novel agents.
- Discussion of emerging research trends in optimizing targeted treatments.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements in long-term survival rates for various ALL subtypes, including precursor B-ALL, Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL, T-ALL, and mature B-ALL.
- FDA approvals of new therapies like blinatumomab, inotuzumab ozogamicin, and tisagenlecleucel for relapsed/refractory ALL.
- Demonstrated efficacy of targeted therapies such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, and CAR T-cell therapy.
Conclusions:
- Targeted therapies have revolutionized ALL treatment, leading to substantial improvements in survival.
- Further research is focused on optimizing targeted treatments and minimizing cytotoxic therapy use.
- The future of ALL treatment lies in refining these advanced therapeutic strategies.
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