What is it about?
We used patient-derived models and primary B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia samples to test whether only selected leukaemia cells can enter the central nervous system. More than three-quarters of diagnostic samples established CNS disease, and we found no clear evidence that entry was restricted to a special subpopulation of cells.
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Why is it important?
All children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia receive CNS-directed therapy because relapse is difficult to predict, but this treatment can be toxic. Understanding how broadly leukaemia cells can enter the CNS can guide research into safer prevention and better risk assessment.
Perspectives
From my perspective, this work matters because All children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia receive CNS-directed therapy because relapse is difficult to predict, but this treatment can be toxic. I hope the findings support further research and informed, evidence-based decisions.
Yasar Yousafzai
Khyber Medical University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The ability to cross the blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier is a generic property of acute lymphoblastic leukemia blasts, Blood, April 2016, American Society of Hematology,
DOI: 10.1182/blood-2015-08-665034.
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