C-kit as a target in the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia.

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a difficult disease to treat. Novel treatment strategies, including molecular targeted therapy, are currently being explored. The c-kit receptor represents a potential therapeutic target for AML. The receptor is expressed on more than 10% of blasts in 64% of de novo AMLs and 95% of relapsed AMLs. C-kit mediates proliferation and anti-apoptotic effects in AML. This review will discuss the biology of c-kit in normal and malignant hematopoiesis, and the recent clinical trials targeting c-kit in AML.