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Updated: Oct 9, 2025
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Pre-clinical Evaluation of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Treatment of Acute Leukemia
Published on: September 18, 2013
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Genetic and Epigenetic Targeting Therapy for Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Huan Xu1, Hui Yu1, Runming Jin1
1Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
Cells
|December 24, 2021
Summary
Epigenetic changes, like DNA methylation, are key in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). These changes can predict relapse and guide precision therapies targeting these reversible alterations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer.
- Genetic and epigenetic abnormalities drive ALL development.
- Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, silence genes without altering DNA sequence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the genetic and epigenetic characteristics of ALL.
- To discuss the role of epigenetic modifications in predicting relapse and disease progression.
- To highlight the potential of epigenetic alterations in guiding precision therapy for ALL.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on genetic and epigenetic alterations in ALL.
- Analysis of the role of DNA methylation and histone modifications in leukemogenesis.
- Discussion of therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic modifications.
Main Results:
- Epigenetic alterations are crucial in ALL pathogenesis.
- DNA methylation and histone modifications show potential as biomarkers for ALL classification and prognosis.
- Epigenetic abnormalities are potentially reversible with targeted therapies.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic modifications are central to ALL.
- Epigenetic biomarkers can aid in predicting relapse and guiding treatment decisions.
- Targeting epigenetic alterations offers a promising avenue for individualized and precision therapy in ALL.
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