The CXCR4 Receptor and Leukemia

Happy New Year again. It continues to rain and flood here as levees break, streets collapse and entire downtown areas disappear under water. Meanwhile, Texas and Oklahoma are burning due to grass fires brought on by drought conditions and high winds. I am afraid of fire, but I can swim. What a mess.

This essay is a more detailed view of the role CXCR4 plays on leukemia cell survival and growth.

The following is a nice overview of CXCR4 and the metastasis process.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&
dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16269611&itool=pubmed_docsum

Acute Lymphatic Leukemia

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&
dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16236608&itool=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&
dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11736934&itool=pubmed_docsum

Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&
dopt=Abstract&list_uids=10602415&itool=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&
dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12783211&itool=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&
dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15008605&itool=pubmed_docsum

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&
dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11806978&itool=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&
dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15805265&itool=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&
dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12004084&itool=pubmed_docsum

CML is a unique cancer that is caused by a tyrosine kinase tumor gene called ABL. ABL appears to block CXCR4 activity, thereby allowing these cells to escape from the bone marrow.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&
dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15087398&itool=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&
dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15363126&itool=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&
dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15054042&itool=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&
dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11960346&itool=pubmed_docsum

In CLL, AML, and ALL, the overexpression of CXCR4 promotes the survival and migration of these leukemia cells into different organs of the body. CML is another story, to be discussed at another time.

I will discuss the role CXCR4 plays in specific leukemias in fugure blogs.

Keep in mind that the PI-3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is involved in both cell survival and CXCR4 over expression. The natural flavonoid quercetin inhibits this pathway.

Stay tuned...

Grouppe Kurosawa, Medicine in the Public Interest
(http://www.grouppekurosawa.com)