Targeting the NF-E2-related factor 2 pathway for overcoming leukemia

Int J Biol Macromol. 2023 Dec 31;253(Pt 8):127594. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127594. Epub 2023 Oct 25.

Abstract

Leukemia is cancer of the body's blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system. There are many types of leukemia that some of them occur in children and the others are more common in adults. Currently, there are many different chemotherapy agents for leukemia while chemoresistance increases the survival of the leukemic cells. One of the main reasons of chemoresistance, is a transcription factor called Nuclear factor erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 (NRF2). An increase in NRF2 expression in leukemic cells which are being treated with chemotherapy agents, can increase the survival of these cells in the presence of therapeutics. Accordingly, the inhibition of NRF2 by different methods as a cotreatment with classical chemotherapy agents, can be a promising procedure in leukemia treatment. In this study we focus on the association of NRF2 and leukemia and targeting it as a new therapeutic method in leukemia treatment.

Keywords: AML; Blood cancer; Chemoresistance; Chemotherapy; Leukemia; NRF2; Oxidative stress; Pediatrics leukemia; ROS.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Bone Marrow / metabolism
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Leukemia* / drug therapy
  • Leukemia* / genetics
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / genetics
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / metabolism
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy

Substances

  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • Antineoplastic Agents