Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Myeloid Leukemia Therapy - Molecular Mechanisms and Future Challenges - Abstract
Protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) phosphorylate select tyrosine residues on target proteins and activate various signaling pathways essential for regulating diverse physiological and pathological processes. Aberrant activation of PTKs causes abnormal cellular growth and differentiation, and results in malignant cellular transformation in diseases such as chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and acute myleloid leukemia (AML). Thus, PTK inhibition has become an attractive strategy in myeloid leukemia therapy, with many tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) having been developed for clinical use. In this article, we review some recent advances on the development of TKIs for treatment of CML and AML. We also discuss the current challenges of TKI use in myeloid leukemia therapy.