Alice Melão

TL;DR: It is found that adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia samples show significantly higher CK2 kinase activity and lower PTEN lipid phosphatase activity than healthy controls, and it is suggested that CK2 inhibition may constitute a valid, novel therapeutic tool in this malignancy.

TL;DR: Activity of the clinical-stage CK2-specific inhibitor CX-4945 against chronic lymphocytic leukemia is inhibited by a second substance called CK2A, which is cytotoxic to lymphocytes and excites the immune system to attack these cells.

TL;DR: The most compelling data comes from recent studies demonstrating that around 10% of T-ALL patients display IL7R gain-of-function mutations leading, in most cases, to disulfide bond-dependent homodimerization of two mutant receptors and consequent constitutive activation of downstream signaling, with ensuing cell transformation in vitro and tumorigenic ability in vivo.

TL;DR: An updated summary of the knowledge on IL-7/IL-7R-mediated signaling in the context of cancer is provided, focusing mainly on T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, where this axis has been more extensively studied.

TL;DR: It is demonstrated that strategies involving the use of PIM kinase small-molecule inhibitors may have therapeutic potential against a majority of leukemias that rely on IL-7 receptor (IL-7R) signaling.