CHILDHOOD ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA (ALL) PRESENTING WITH SEVERE OSTEOLYSIS: A Model to Study Leukemia-Bone Interactions and Potential Targeted Therapeutics

Abstract

Interference with the molecular mechanisms that generate tumor supportive niches in the bone microenvironment is a rational approach to inhibit the growth of hematological malignancies. However, the advancement of knowledge in this area has been slowed down by the lack of in vitro models to facilitate the screening of potential candidate agents. The rare cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children presenting with extensive bone involvement may represent an exaggerated form of some aspects of the normal tumor-bone interactions. Thus, these cases can provide insight into processes that are otherwise challenging to uncover. The authors describe the case of a 6-year-old child who presented with severe osteopenia that resolved at the time of leukemic remission. Compared to control sera, serum taken at disease presentation contained increased levels of a group of osteolytic cytokines and was effective in activating preosteoclast cells in culture. Based on these findings, the authors describe an experimental model to identify agents that would interfere with leukemia mediated osteolytic process.

Keywords :

• acute lymphoblastic leukemia
• osteoclasts
• targeted therapeutics

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study was supported by research grants from the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta (KCCFA), Edward J Brown Endowment for Leukemia Research, and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute for Child and Maternal Health (ACHRI).

Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.