Targets and targeted drugs in chronic myeloid leukemia

Abstract

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is probably the most extensively studied and best understood human leukemia. The disease has long served as and still is a paradigmatic model to test various preclinical and translational concepts in hematology, sometimes with overwhelming success as exemplified by the Philadelphia chromosome and BCR/ABL, stem cell transplantation, or the use of BCR/ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors. More recent concepts aim at targeting leukemic stem cells and stem cell subclones in CML by novel drugs and drug-combinations, with the goal to improve drug therapy. Other concepts attempt to employ endogenous antibodies or negative growthregulators to block leukemic cell growth. Novel prognostic markers indicating minimal residual disease offer new opportunities to measure the clinical effects of such novel drugs on residual persistent CML stem cells in clinical practice. To discuss all these new developments and future concepts in CML, a Conference on ‘‘Targets and Targeted Drugs’’ was organized in Vienna in October 2007 (October 26‐28, 2007). The conference took place at the Renaissance Penta Hotel, located close to the city center. The participants, all well recognized authorities in the field, presented and discussed their most recent concepts and data in this conference. The current issue of ‘‘Leukemia and Lymphoma’’ is dedicated to this meeting and to the above mentioned concepts, and provides a series of minireviews prepared by participants of the conference. It is our hope that this publication-cluster will motivate basic science colleagues and clinical colleagues to make further efforts in CML research, with the ultimate goal being to develop new, better or even curative drug therapies in the future.