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Genetic Targets in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

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Impact of Genetic Targets on Cancer Therapy

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((volume 779))

Abstract

Acute leukemia represents 31% of all cancers diagnosed in children and 80% of it is of Lymphoblastic type. Multiple genetic lesions in the hematopoietic progenitor cells prior to or during differentiation to B and T cell lead to development of leukemia. There are several subtypes of Acute Leukemia based on chromosome number changes, the presence of certain translocations and gene mutations, each of which has different clinical, biological and prognostic features. High throughput genomic technologies like array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) and single nucleotide polymorphism microarrays (SNP arrays), have given us insight through a very detailed look at the genetic changes of leukemia, specifically, ALL. Here, we discuss various genetic mutations identified in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. We also explore various genetic targets and currently available as well as upcoming targeted therapies for ALL.

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Acknowledgement

This work was supported in part by an R01 HL095120 grant, The Four Diamonds Fund of the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, John Wawrynovic Leukemia Research Scholar Endowment (SD), St.Baldrick’s foundation grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology - Oncology, Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, Milton S Hershey Medical center, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA

    Chandrika Gowda M.D. Ph.D. & Sinisa Dovat M.D. Ph.D.

  2. Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA

    Sinisa Dovat M.D. Ph.D.

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  1. Chandrika Gowda M.D. Ph.D.
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  2. Sinisa Dovat M.D. Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Sinisa Dovat M.D. Ph.D. .

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  1. University Drive 500, Hershey, 17033, Pennsylvania, USA

    Wafik S El-Deiry

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Gowda, C., Dovat, S. (2013). Genetic Targets in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. In: El-Deiry, W. (eds) Impact of Genetic Targets on Cancer Therapy. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 779. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6176-0_15

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