PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCLs) are rare entities whose somatic genetic lesions have been identified only in a subset of patients. Thus, an integrated and massive discovery programme is required to define their tumourigenic alterations and to design more successful tailored therapies. RECENT FINDINGS: The discovery of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusions has provided the basis for the characterization of distinct subsets among ALCL patients. Although the oncogenic addiction of ALK signalling is proven, the tumorigenic contribution of coactivating lesions is still missing. As ALK- and ALK+ share common signatures, it is plausible that analogous mechanisms of transformation may be operating in both subsets, as confirmed by the dysregulated activation of c-MYC, RAS and NFκB, and the loss of Blimp-1 and p53/p63 axis. Nonetheless, recurrent genetic alterations for ALK- ALCL or refractory leukaemic ALK+ ALCL are lacking. Moreover, although conventional chemotherapies (anthracycline-based) are most successful, that is in ALK+ ALCL patients, the implementation of ALK inhibitors or of anti-CD30 based treatments provides innovative solutions, particularly in paediatric ALK+ ALCL and in chemorefractory/relapsed patients. SUMMARY: The complete portrayal of the landscape of genetic alterations in ALCL will dictate the development of innovative chemotherapeutic and targeted therapies that will fit most with the molecular and clinical profiling of individual patients.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCLs) are rare entities whose somatic genetic lesions have been identified only in a subset of patients. Thus, an integrated and massive discovery programme is required to define their tumourigenic alterations and to design more successful tailored therapies. RECENT FINDINGS: The discovery of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusions has provided the basis for the characterization of distinct subsets among ALCL patients. Although the oncogenic addiction of ALK signalling is proven, the tumorigenic contribution of coactivating lesions is still missing. As ALK- and ALK+ share common signatures, it is plausible that analogous mechanisms of transformation may be operating in both subsets, as confirmed by the dysregulated activation of c-MYC, RAS and NFκB, and the loss of Blimp-1 and p53/p63 axis. Nonetheless, recurrent genetic alterations for ALK- ALCL or refractory leukaemic ALK+ ALCL are lacking. Moreover, although conventional chemotherapies (anthracycline-based) are most successful, that is in ALK+ ALCL patients, the implementation of ALK inhibitors or of anti-CD30 based treatments provides innovative solutions, particularly in paediatric ALK+ ALCL and in chemorefractory/relapsed patients. SUMMARY: The complete portrayal of the landscape of genetic alterations in ALCL will dictate the development of innovative chemotherapeutic and targeted therapies that will fit most with the molecular and clinical profiling of individual patients.
Authors: Andrew L Feldman; Ahmet Dogan; David I Smith; Mark E Law; Stephen M Ansell; Sarah H Johnson; Julie C Porcher; Nazan Ozsan; Eric D Wieben; Bruce W Eckloff; George Vasmatzis Journal: Blood Date: 2010-10-28 Impact factor: 22.113
Authors: Olaf Merkel; Frank Hamacher; Daniela Laimer; Eveline Sifft; Zlatko Trajanoski; Marcel Scheideler; Gerda Egger; Melanie R Hassler; Christiane Thallinger; Ana Schmatz; Suzanne D Turner; Richard Greil; Lukas Kenner Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2010-08-30 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: S W Morris; M N Kirstein; M B Valentine; K G Dittmer; D N Shapiro; D L Saltman; A T Look Journal: Science Date: 1994-03-04 Impact factor: 47.728
Authors: Michela Boi; Maria Todaro; Valentina Vurchio; Shao Ning Yang; John Moon; Ivo Kwee; Andrea Rinaldi; Heng Pan; Ramona Crescenzo; Mangeng Cheng; Leandro Cerchietti; Olivier Elemento; Maria E Riveiro; Esteban Cvitkovic; Francesco Bertoni; Giorgio Inghirami Journal: Oncotarget Date: 2016-11-29