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Review
. 2021 Dec 20;9(1):89.
doi: 10.1186/s40364-021-00347-z.

Inside the biology of early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia: the perfect trick

Francesco Tarantini #  1 , Cosimo Cumbo #  1 , Luisa Anelli  1 , Antonella Zagaria  1 , Giorgina Specchia  2 , Pellegrino Musto  1 , Francesco Albano  3
Affiliations
Review

Inside the biology of early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia: the perfect trick

Francesco Tarantini et al. Biomark Res. .

Abstract

Early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ETP-ALL) is a rare, distinct subtype of T-ALL characterized by genomic instability, a dismal prognosis and refractoriness to standard chemotherapy. Since its first description in 2009, the expanding knowledge of its intricate biology has led to the definition of a stem cell leukemia with a combined lymphoid-myeloid potential: the perfect trick. Several studies in the last decade aimed to better characterize this new disease, but it was recognized as a distinct entity only in 2016. We review current insights into the biology of ETP-ALL and discuss the pathogenesis, genomic features and their impact on the clinical course in the precision medicine era today.

Keywords: ETP-ALL biology; Lymphoid-myeloid potential; Molecular pathogenesis..

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Typical ETP-ALL immunophenotypic profile
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Main biological features showing the double face of ETP-ALL. The lympho-myeloid potential of ETP-ALL cell is summarized, illustrating immunophenotypic, mutational and GEP aspects. Molecular mechanisms not clearly referable to a lymphoid or myeloid context are not reported.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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