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Acute Leukemia: From Basic Research to Clinical Application

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 July 2024 | Viewed by 1755

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Center of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Azienda Policlinico–San Marco, 95123 Catania, Italy
Interests: acute lymphoblastic leukemia; acute myeloid leukemia; biomarkers; new targets of disease; novel immunotherapy; leukemia stem cell
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Acute leukemia is a big killer. The scientific community has made significant efforts to understand the molecular bases of this disease, in order to identify specific biomarkers and/or target aberrations to be used for designing a tailored treatment. Although the current use of chemotherapy leads to a high rate of survival, in children, acute leukemias represent the greatest cause of death in the pediatric population with cancer. In adult settings, despite a high rate of remission at the end of induction therapy, relapse is a major concern in the management of patients with acute leukemia. Thus, it is essential to undertake efforts in translational research, starting from basic science and translating into clinical interventions. Therefore, the main scope of this Special Issue is to reveal the molecular mechanisms of basic research studies on acute leukemia with a clear and future translational impact on treatment, including novel potential biomarkers and/or target for tailored treatment.

The International Journal of Molecular Sciences invites both reviews and original articles, please note that pure clinical research or model studies, survey studies, and correlation research are out of the scope of IJMS. However, clinical or model submissions with biomolecular experiments are welcomed.

Dr. Luca Lo Nigro
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
  • acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
  • genomic findings
  • post-genomic findings
  • targeted therapies
  • immunotherapies
  • novel markers

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 3657 KiB  
Article
Nonclinical Evaluation of Single-Mutant E. coli Asparaginases Obtained by Double-Mutant Deconvolution: Improving Toxicological, Immune and Inflammatory Responses
by Grace Ruiz-Lara, Tales A. Costa-Silva, Jorge Javier Muso-Cachumba, Johanna Cevallos Espinel, Marina Gabriel Fontes, Mitla Garcia-Maya, Khondaker Miraz Rahman, Carlota de Oliveira Rangel-Yagui and Gisele Monteiro
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 6008; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25116008 - 30 May 2024
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Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is currently treated with bacterial L-asparaginase; however, its side effects raise the need for the development of improved and efficient novel enzymes. Previously, we obtained low anti-asparaginase antibody production and high serum enzyme half-life in mice treated with the P40S/S206C [...] Read more.
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is currently treated with bacterial L-asparaginase; however, its side effects raise the need for the development of improved and efficient novel enzymes. Previously, we obtained low anti-asparaginase antibody production and high serum enzyme half-life in mice treated with the P40S/S206C mutant; however, its specific activity was significantly reduced. Thus, our aim was to test single mutants, S206C and P40S, through in vitro and in vivo assays. Our results showed that the drop in specific activity was caused by P40S substitution. In addition, our single mutants were highly stable in biological environment simulation, unlike the double-mutant P40S/S206C. The in vitro cell viability assay demonstrated that mutant enzymes have a higher cytotoxic effect than WT on T-cell-derived ALL and on some solid cancer cell lines. The in vivo assays were performed in mice to identify toxicological effects, to evoke immunological responses and to study the enzymes’ pharmacokinetics. From these tests, none of the enzymes was toxic; however, S206C elicited lower physiological changes and immune/allergenic responses. In relation to the pharmacokinetic profile, S206C exhibited twofold higher activity than WT and P40S two hours after injection. In conclusion, we present bioengineered E. coli asparaginases with high specific enzyme activity and fewer side effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Acute Leukemia: From Basic Research to Clinical Application)
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Review

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25 pages, 660 KiB  
Review
Precision Medicine Approaches in Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Adverse Genetics
by Nicole Santoro, Prassede Salutari, Mauro Di Ianni and Andrea Marra
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(8), 4259; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25084259 - 11 Apr 2024
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Abstract
The treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with adverse genetics remains unsatisfactory, with very low response rates to standard chemotherapy and shorter durations of remission commonly observed in these patients. The complex biology of AML with adverse genetics is continuously evolving. Herein, we [...] Read more.
The treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with adverse genetics remains unsatisfactory, with very low response rates to standard chemotherapy and shorter durations of remission commonly observed in these patients. The complex biology of AML with adverse genetics is continuously evolving. Herein, we discuss recent advances in the field focusing on the contribution of molecular drivers of leukemia biogenesis and evolution and on the alterations of the immune system that can be exploited with immune-based therapeutic strategies. We focus on the biological rationales for combining targeted therapy and immunotherapy, which are currently being investigated in ongoing trials, and could hopefully ameliorate the poor outcomes of patients affected by AML with adverse genetics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Acute Leukemia: From Basic Research to Clinical Application)
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Other

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9 pages, 794 KiB  
Case Report
A Rare Case of Methemoglobinemia after Ifosfamide Infusion in a 3-Year-Old Patient Treated for T-ALL
by Maria Suprunowicz, Katarzyna Marcinkiewicz, Elżbieta Leszczyńska, Anna Krętowska-Grunwald, Marcin Płonowski, Mariola Tałałaj, Łucja Dakowicz, Maryna Krawczuk-Rybak and Małgorzata Sawicka-Żukowska
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(7), 3789; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073789 - 28 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 605
Abstract
Methemoglobinemia is a potentially life-threatening, rare condition in which the oxygen-carrying capacity of hemoglobin is diminished. We present the case of a 3-year-old boy treated for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) who developed methemoglobinemia (MetHb 57.1%) as a side effect of ifosfamide administration. [...] Read more.
Methemoglobinemia is a potentially life-threatening, rare condition in which the oxygen-carrying capacity of hemoglobin is diminished. We present the case of a 3-year-old boy treated for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) who developed methemoglobinemia (MetHb 57.1%) as a side effect of ifosfamide administration. Due to his critical condition, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). The therapy included methylene blue administration, an exchange transfusion, catecholamine infusion, and steroids. Improving the general condition allowed for continuing chemotherapy without ifosfamide and completion of the HR2 block. Vigilance for methemoglobinemia as a very rare side effect should be widespread when using ifosfamide in the treatment protocols. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Acute Leukemia: From Basic Research to Clinical Application)
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