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Prolymphocytic Leukaemia: an Update on Biology and Treatment

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review summarises the recent advances in knowledge regarding the biology and treatment of prolymphocytic leukaemias.

Recent Findings

Both B-PLL and T-PLL are genetically complex, and the molecular landscape of these diseases has been well characterised recently. Diagnostic criteria for T-PLL have been refined with the publication of the first international consensus criteria, whereas the diagnosis of B-PLL has been thrown into question by the most recent WHO classification. Treatment advances in B-PLL have relied heavily on the advances seen in CLL that have then been extrapolated to B-PLL with just a few case reports to support the use of these targeted inhibitors. Despite increased knowledge of the biology of T-PLL and some elegant pre-clinical models to identify potential treatments, unfortunately, no improvements have been made in the treatment of T-PLL.

Summary

Unmet need is a term oft used for many diseases, but this is particularly true for patients with prolymphocytic leukaemias. Ongoing improvements in our understanding of these diseases will hopefully lead to improved therapies in the future.

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Data Availability

No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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  1. Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

    Dima El-Sharkawi & Claire Dearden

  2. Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK

    Dima El-Sharkawi & Claire Dearden

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  1. Dima El-Sharkawi
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D.E. and C.D. wrote and reviewed the manuscript.

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El-Sharkawi, D., Dearden, C. Prolymphocytic Leukaemia: an Update on Biology and Treatment. Curr Oncol Rep 26, 129–135 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-023-01485-3

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  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-023-01485-3

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