Infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia-New Therapeutic Opportunities

Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Mar 27;25(7):3721. doi: 10.3390/ijms25073721.

Abstract

Infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Infant ALL) is a kind of pediatric ALL, diagnosed in children under 1 year of age and accounts for less than 5% of pediatric ALL. In the infant ALL group, two subtypes can be distinguished: KMT2A-rearranged ALL, known as a more difficult to cure form and KMT2A- non-rearranged ALL with better survival outcomes. As infants with ALL have lesser treatment outcomes compared to older children, it is pivotal to provide novel treatment approaches. Progress in the development of molecularly targeted therapies and immunotherapy presents exciting opportunities for potential improvement. This comprehensive review synthesizes the current literature on the epidemiology, clinical presentation, molecular genetics, and therapeutic approaches specific to ALL in the infant population.

Keywords: acute lymphoblastic leukemia; infant; targeted therapies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Infant
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma* / genetics
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma* / therapy

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.