Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for IJMS Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

New Perspectives in Hematopoietic Stem Cell and Leukemia

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2024 | Viewed by 3619

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Rachid Lahlil

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Institut de Recherche en Hématologie et Transplantation (IRHT), Hôpital du Hasenrain, 87 Avenue d’Altkirch, 68100 Mulhouse, France
Interests: stem cells; hematologic malignancies; stem cells expansion; cellular therapy

Dr. Hassan Lemjabbar-Alaoui

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
Interests: cancer biology; DNA repair; novel targeted therapies and biomarkers; mechanisms of multi-drug resistance in cancer

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The hematopoietic system is constantly controlled by the combinatorial action of growth factors, cytokines, and transcription factors, which regulate cell type diversification. It is generated from the hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) undergoing constant self-renewal, commitment, and differentiation. Despite current advances, how these environmental cues determine stem cell fate remains to be ascertained. In contrast, the dysregulation of these elements and their interactions can lead to the appearance of abnormal cells at different hematopoietic compartments, mainly originating from the transformation of HSCs to cancer stem cells. The molecular determinants that render specific populations of normal cells susceptible to oncogenic reprogramming into self-renewing cancer stem cells are still poorly understood. This Special Issue aims to highlight the latest advances in understanding normal hematopoiesis regulation and leukemogenesis, current knowledge, and future perspectives regarding emergent therapeutics. Reviews or articles on molecular regulation, mechanisms of cell transformation, therapy, clonal hematopoiesis, and applications for future targeted therapies will be welcome.

Dr. Rachid Lahlil
Dr. Hassan Lemjabbar-Alaoui
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

therapeutic targets
leukemogenesis
molecular regulation
cancer stem cells
signaling pathways
novel biomarkers
small molecule drugs
chemotherapy and genetic changes

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 3092 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Stem Cell Responsiveness to Imatinib in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

by Rachid Lahlil, Anne Aries, Maurice Scrofani, Céline Zanetti, Desline Hennequin and Bernard Drénou

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(23), 16671; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242316671 - 23 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1247

Abstract

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative disease characterized by the presence of the BCR-ABL fusion gene, which results from the Philadelphia chromosome. Since the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) such as imatinib mesylate (IM), the clinical outcomes for patients with CML have improved significantly. However, IM resistance remains the major clinical challenge for many patients, underlining the need to develop new drugs for the treatment of CML. The basis of CML cell resistance to this drug is unclear, but the appearance of additional genetic alterations in leukemic stem cells (LSCs) is the most common cause of patient relapse. However, several groups have identified a rare subpopulation of CD34⁺ stem cells in adult patients that is present mainly in the bone marrow and is more immature and pluripotent; these cells are also known as very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs). The uncontrolled proliferation and a compromised differentiation possibly initiate their transformation to leukemic VSELs (LVSELs). Their nature and possible involvement in carcinogenesis suggest that they cannot be completely eradicated with IM treatment. In this study, we demonstrated that cells from CML patients with the VSELs phenotype (LVSELs) similarly harbor the fusion protein BCR-ABL and are less sensitive to apoptosis than leukemic HSCs after IM treatment. Thus, IM induces apoptosis and reduces the proliferation and mRNA expression of Ki67 more efficiently in LHSCs than in leukemic LVSELs. Finally, we found that the expression levels of some miRNAs are affected in LVSELs. In addition to the tumor suppressor miR-451, both miR-126 and miR-21, known to be responsible for LSC leukemia-initiating capacity, quiescence, and growth, appear to be involved in IM insensitivity of LVSELs CML cell population. Targeting IM-resistant CML leukemic stem cells by acting via the miRNA pathways may represent a promising therapeutic option. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Perspectives in Hematopoietic Stem Cell and Leukemia)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

20 pages, 4785 KiB

Open AccessReview

Raman Spectroscopy as a Research and Diagnostic Tool in Clinical Hematology and Hematooncology

by Paulina Laskowska, Piotr Mrowka and Eliza Glodkowska-Mrowka

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(6), 3376; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25063376 - 16 Mar 2024

Viewed by 771

Abstract

Raman spectroscopy is a molecular spectroscopic technique able to provide detailed information about the chemical structure, phase, crystallinity, and molecular interactions of virtually any analyzed sample. Although its medical applications have been studied for several decades, only recent advances in microscopy, lasers, detectors, and better understanding of the principles of the Raman effect have successfully expanded its applicability to clinical settings. The promise of a rapid, label-free diagnostic method able to evaluate the metabolic status of a cell in vivo makes Raman spectroscopy particularly attractive for hematology and oncology. Here, we review widely studied hematological applications of Raman spectroscopy such as leukocyte activation status, evaluation of treatment response, and differentiation between cancer and non-malignant cells, as well as its use in still unexplored areas in hematology. We also discuss limitations and challenges faced by Raman spectroscopy-based diagnostics as well as recent advances and modifications of the method aimed to increase its applicability to clinical hematooncology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Perspectives in Hematopoietic Stem Cell and Leukemia)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

21 pages, 1855 KiB

Open AccessReview

Minimal Residual Disease in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Old and New Concepts

by Mathias Chea, Lucie Rigolot, Alban Canali and Francois Vergez

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(4), 2150; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25042150 - 10 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1027

Abstract

Minimal residual disease (MRD) is of major importance in onco-hematology, particularly in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). MRD measures the amount of leukemia cells remaining in a patient after treatment, and is an essential tool for disease monitoring, relapse prognosis, and guiding treatment decisions. Patients with a negative MRD tend to have superior disease-free and overall survival rates. Considerable effort has been made to standardize MRD practices. A variety of techniques, including flow cytometry and molecular methods, are used to assess MRD, each with distinct strengths and weaknesses. MRD is recognized not only as a predictive biomarker, but also as a prognostic tool and marker of treatment efficacy. Expected advances in MRD assessment encompass molecular techniques such as NGS and digital PCR, as well as optimization strategies such as unsupervised flow cytometry analysis and leukemic stem cell monitoring. At present, there is no perfect method for measuring MRD, and significant advances are expected in the future to fully integrate MRD assessment into the management of AML patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Perspectives in Hematopoietic Stem Cell and Leukemia)

► Show Figures