Synergism between IL7R and CXCR4 drives BCR-ABL induced transformation in Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia
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ABSTRACT: Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is characterized by the expression of an oncogenic fusion kinase termed BCR-ABL1. Here, we show that interleukin 7 receptor (IL7R) interacts with the chemokine receptor CXCR4 to recruit BCR-ABL1 and JAK kinases in close proximity. Treatment with BCR-ABL1 kinase inhibitors result in elevated expression of IL7R which enable the survival of transformed cells when IL7 was added together with the kinase inhibitors. Importantly, treatment with anti-IL7R antibodies prevents leukemia development in xenotransplantation models using patient-derived Ph+ ALL cells. Our results suggest that the association between IL7R and CXCR4 serves as molecular platform for BCR-ABL1 induced transformation and development of Ph+ ALL. Targeting this platform with anti-IL7R antibody eliminates Ph+ ALL cells including those with resistance to commonly used ABL1 kinase inhibitors. Thus, anti-IL7R antibodies may provide alternative treatment options for ALL in general and may suppress incurable drug-resistant leukemia forms.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE150784 | GEO | 2020/05/19
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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