Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2025

Pre-clinical Evaluation of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Treatment of Acute Leukemia
Published on: September 18, 2013
Pharmacotherapeutic advances for chronic myelogenous leukemia: beyond tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Alessandro Costa1, Emilia Scalzulli2, Ida Carmosino2
1Hematology Unit, Businco Hospital, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
Introduction:
Despite the notable success of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in treating chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a subset of patients experiences resistance, or relapse after discontinuation. This challenge is attributed to the Ph+ leukemia stem cells (LSCs) pool not fully involved in the inhibition process due to the current therapeutic approach.
Areas Covered:
Current pharmacological advancements in CML therapy focus on targeting LSCs, intervening in self-renewal pathways, and exploiting biological vulnerabilities. Beyond BCR::ABL1 inhibition, innovative approaches include immunotherapy, epigenetic modulation, and interference with microenvironmental mechanisms.
Expert Opinion:
Diverse therapeutic strategies beyond TKIs are under investigation. Immunotherapy with interferon-α (IFN-α) shows some biological effects, although further research is needed for optimal application in enhancing discontinuation rates. Other compounds were able to mobilize Ph+ LSCs from the bone marrow niche (DPP-IV inhibitor vildagliptin or PAI-1 inhibitor TM5614) increasing the LSC clearance or target the CD26, a Ph+ specific surface receptor. It is noteworthy that the majority of these alternative strategies still incorporate TKIs. In conclusion, novel therapeutic perspectives are emerging for CML, holding the potential for substantial advancements in disease treatment.
Related Concept Videos
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers
TKIs, such as imatinib (Gleevec), are particularly effective in tackling the growth and mitogenic factors that become upregulated in PAH patients. These factors contribute to the...
Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
Treatment Resistant Cancers
Tumor Immunotherapy

