This study characterized a new signalling pathway in nucleophosmin-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (NPM-ALK)-triggered lymphoma. The authors showed that the transcription factors JUN and JUNB promote lymphoma development and tumour dissemination through transcriptional regulation of platelet-derived growth factor receptor B (PDGFRB). Inhibition of PDGFRB with imatinib prolonged the survival of NPM-ALK transgenic mice and increased the efficacy of the ALK-specific inhibitor crizotinib in transplanted NPM-ALK tumours. In a patient with refractory late-stage NPM-ALK-positive lymphoma, imatinib produced a rapid, complete and sustained remission.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER
Laimer, D. et al. PDGFR blockade is a rational and effective therapy for NPM-ALK-driven lymphomas. Nature Med. 18, 1699–1704 (2012)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Harrison, C. Imatinib hits anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Nat Rev Drug Discov 11, 908 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd3902
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd3902