Targeting BCL2 for the Treatment of Lymphoid Malignancies

https://doi.org/10.1053/j.seminhematol.2014.05.008Get rights and content
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The failure of apoptosis (programmed cell death) underpins the development of many tumors and often renders them resistant to cytotoxic therapies. In hematologic malignancies, this impairment of apoptosis is often caused by overexpression of the pro-survival protein BCL2. Because abnormally high levels of BCL2 sustain these tumors, there has been much interest in targeting BCL2 as a novel approach to treating various hematologic malignancies. One such approach is the development of BH3 mimetic compounds, small molecules that mimic the action of the BH3-only proteins, natural antagonists of BCL2 and its pro-survival relatives. These compounds act by restoring the ability of a cell to undergo apoptotic cell death. Some of them have shown very encouraging results in early-phase clinical trials that are currently underway, particularly in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and some non-Hodgkin lymphomas, diseases marked by BCL2 overexpression. In this review, we discuss the rationale behind targeting BCL2, highlight the recent findings from clinical trials, and pinpoint the next steps in the clinical development of this interesting and promising class of targeted agents, particularly for the treatment of lymphoid malignancies.

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Conflicts of interest: Drs Huang and Roberts are employees of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, which receives research funding and milestone payments in relation to ABT-199. Dr Anderson is the recipient of a Webster Fellowship (Melbourne Health). Work in the laboratories of Drs Huang and Roberts is supported by an IRIISS (Independent Research Institutes Infrastructure Support Scheme) and grants (1016647, 1016701) and fellowships (637309, 1043149) from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, the Cancer Council of Victoria, the Australian Cancer Research Foundation, the Leukaemia Foundation of Australia, and a Victorian State Government Operational Infrastructure Support grant.