Recent Progress in Biological and Molecular Mechanisms and Targeted Therapies of Leukemia
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 August 2025 | Viewed by 54
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Recent advancements in the understanding of leukemia have significantly improved the development of targeted therapies. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has seen major progress in molecular profiling, leading to better classification and risk stratification of the disease. This has resulted in the identification of specific genetic mutations, which are now targeted by new therapies. The introduction of low-intensity induction therapies, such as hypomethylating agents combined with venetoclax, has substantially improved outcomes for patients, especially those with poor prognoses. Additionally, targeted oral therapies against driver mutations have expanded the treatment options available. Regarding Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), the excellent progress induced by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has dramatically improved the prognosis for CML patients, allowing many to achieve long-term remission. However, the resistance to TKIs in some CML patients necessitates ongoing research into new therapeutic strategies and combination treatments with the aim to offer a safe TKIs discontinuation and to eradicate the leukemic residual disease. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) have benefited from targeted therapies and immunotherapies. CAR-T cell therapies, which genetically modify the patient's immune cells to fight cancer, have shown promising results, especially for ALL. Monoclonal antibody therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors are other options being studied and used for various types of leukemia. Despite these advancements, challenges remain, particularly in overcoming resistance mechanisms that arise during treatment. Understanding these resistance pathways is crucial for developing combinatorial and sequential therapeutic approaches to enhance patient survival.
List of the main relevant topics:
- Molecular Profiling and Genetic Mutations: Identification and targeting specific genetic mutations in leukemia.
- Low-Intensity Induction Therapies: Use of hypomethylating agents combined with venetoclax.
- Targeted Therapies: Development of therapies against driver mutations.
- TKIs: Impact on Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) prognosis and challenges with resistance.
- CAR-T Cell Therapies: Genetic modification of immune cells for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).
- Monoclonal Antibody Therapies: Targeting specific proteins on leukemia cells.
- Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: New options for various types of leukemia.
- Resistance Mechanisms: Understanding and overcoming resistance pathways in treatment.
Dr. Anna Sicuranza
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- leukemia-targeted therapies
- AML
- CML
- venetoclax combination therapy
- tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs)
- hypomethylating agents
- ALL
- CLL
- CAR-T cell therapy
- monoclonal antibodies
- immune checkpoint inhibitors
- resistance mechanisms
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
