Nodes, Microenvironment and BCR

[Guest guest]

A paper by Herishanu et al and a commentary by Friedberg are worth reading in

the latest issue of the journal Blood, DOI 10.1182/blood-2010-05-284984

Herishanu and colleagues elegantly demonstrated that the lymph nodes are key

sites in pathogenesis of CLL, where increased signalling through the B-cell

receptor (BCR) contributes to proliferation and tumour progression.

Treatments like Cal 101, PCI-32765, AVL-292 etc. target elements of the BCR

pathway.

Fostamatinib disodium has been found to inhibit Syk, which is also involved.

Friedberg states: " We now understand the importance of BCR signalling in

maintaining the CLL nodal malignant microenvironment, which sheds light on these

clinical observations. Given the importance of BCR signalling in maintaining the

CLL nodal malignant microenvironment, we have even more reason to pursue this

pathway as a rational therapeutic target for this disease. "

Article: http://cllcanada.ca

Blood:

http://bloodjournal.hematologylibrary.org/cgi/content/abstract/117/2/563

http://bloodjournal.hematologylibrary.org/cgi/content/full/117/2/377