Role of spleen tyrosine kinase in the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Abstract

The antigen-dependent B-cell receptor (BCR) is triggered by binding to external antigens and transmits signals in normal B lymphocytes. Tonic signaling through the BCR plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis and progression of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) is a key component of both BCR signals, and regulates multiple physiological functions of B lymphocytes. Studies have defined enhanced gene expression and protein expression of Syk in CLL cells which are closely related to the status of the immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region genes (IgVH). Recently, abrogating the BCR-induced signaling pathway by Syk inhibitors has represented a novel and active therapeutic approach for CLL. Studies of the correlation between Syk and ZAP-70 expression in CLL cells have brought a new perspective to determining the value of Syk in evaluating the effect of therapy and the prognosis of CLL. Therefore, we here review the role of Syk in the pathogenesis of CLL and provide an update of progress in the clinical development of Syk inhibitors.

Keywords::

• Syk
• chronic lymphocytic leukemia
• Syk inhibitors
• ZAP-70

Acknowledgements

This study was partly supported by: Natural Science Foundations of Shandong Province, China (No. Y2007C053 and No. ZR2009CM059); Technology Development Projects of Shandong Province, China (No. 2007GG10002008, No. 2008GG2NS02018 and No. 2010GSF10250); the Program for Outstanding Medical Academic Leader of Shandong Province, China; and Taishan Scholar Foundation of Shandong Province, China.

Potential conflict of interest

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