B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: Origins, classification, and therapeutic advances

B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP-ALL) is the most common form of paediatric cancer and is characterised by the clonal expansion of immature B lymphocytes. The advent of targeted therapies has transformed BCP-ALL from a largely fatal disease to one which is well managed under current protocols. Continued refinements to disease classification have facilitated the identification of novel drug targets that underscore much of this change. Despite this progress, some patients remain unclassified by current conventions, and have not profited from the era of targeted therapy. Relapsed disease likewise remains a major challenge, and although new immunotherapies have gone a long way, additional strategies are needed. Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort to identify novel drug targets. Here, we discuss the origins and classification of BCP-ALL, before outlining the therapeutic advances that have considerably improved disease outlook over the last few decades. We then outline the latest trends in disease treatment, and propose how recent discoveries may translate into new therapeutic approaches.