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Role of Microenvironment in Resistance to Therapy in AML

  • Acute Lymphocytic Leukemias (F Ravandi, Section Editor)
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Abstract

As part of the dynamic interactions between leukemic cells and cells of the bone marrow microenvironment, specific niches provide a sanctuary where subpopulations of leukemic cells evade chemotherapy-induced death and acquire a drug-resistant phenotype. This review focuses on the cellular and molecular biology of the leukemia stem cell (LSC) niche and of microenvironment/leukemia interactions. Key emerging therapeutic targets include chemokine receptors, adhesion molecules, the sympathetic nervous system, and hypoxia-related proteins, as well as the genetic and epigenetic abnormalities of the leukemia-associated stroma. The complex interplay between LSCs and microenvironment components provides a rationale for appropriately tailored molecular therapies designed to improve outcomes in leukemia. Further understanding of the contribution of the bone marrow niche to the process of leukemogenesis may provide new targets that allow destruction of LSCs without adversely affecting normal stem cell self-renewal.

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Acknowledgments

Supported in part by NIH/NCI R01 CA155056-04 (MK), Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (MK), and NIH/NCI P30 CA016672 (MK)

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Conflict of Interest

Dr. Yoko Tabe and Dr. Marina Konopleva each declare no potential conflicts of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 428 Holcombe Blvd 1515, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Yoko Tabe & Marina Konopleva

  2. Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-8421, Japan

    Yoko Tabe

  3. Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Holcombe blvd 1515, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Marina Konopleva

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  1. Yoko Tabe
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Correspondence to Marina Konopleva.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Acute Lymphocytic Leukemias

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Tabe, Y., Konopleva, M. Role of Microenvironment in Resistance to Therapy in AML. Curr Hematol Malig Rep 10, 96–103 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11899-015-0253-6

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