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Targeting BCL2 in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Other Hematologic Malignancies

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Abstract

Apoptosis, the process of programmed cell death, occurs normally during development and aging. Members of the B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) family of proteins are central regulators of apoptosis, and resistance to apoptosis is one of the hallmarks of cancer. Targeting the apoptotic pathway via BCL2 inhibitors has been considered a promising treatment strategy in the past decade. Initial efforts with small molecule BH3 mimetics such as ABT-737 and ABT-263 (navitoclax) pioneered the development of the first-in-class Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved oral BCL2 inhibitor, venetoclax. Venetoclax was approved for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia, and is now being studied in a number of hematologic malignancies. Several other inhibitors targeting different BCL2 family members are now in early stages of development.

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  1. Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 428, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Fevzi F. Yalniz & William G. Wierda

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Dr. William G. Wierda and Dr. Fevzi F. Yalniz declare that they have no conflicts of interest that might be relevant to the contents of this article.

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Yalniz, F.F., Wierda, W.G. Targeting BCL2 in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Other Hematologic Malignancies. Drugs 79, 1287–1304 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-019-01163-4

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