It induces differentiation of multiple types of leukemic cells including HL-60, U937 and K562 cells.
It was first described as a hematopoietic stem cell marker and later found on certain types of leukemic cells [ 23]; however, its precise function remains unclear.
A protein called Aven is often found in increased amounts in certain types of leukemic cells, but it was not clear how Aven affects how leukemia develops.
Therefore, the different lifespans of the various types of leukemic cells can potentially explain what leads to different (short-term) outcomes in the experimental observations, rather than assuming a differential effect of the drug on the various types of leukemic cells.
In fact, the different lifespans in the hierarchical structure of the leukemic cell population can explain the seemingly different (short-term) outcomes observed among the various types of leukemic cells under imatinib, rather than a differential effect of the drug on them.
In conclusion, imatinib seems to affect the LSCs in the same way it affects all other leukemic cells; however, the different lifespans of the various types of leukemic cells lead to different (short-term) outcomes in the experimental and clinical observations.
Additional biologically relevant findings came from comparison of each type of megakaryoblastic leukemic condition with normal MK cells.
In contrast the wild type mice exhibited massive expansion of leukemic cells in the liver, spleen and peripheral blood (Figure 8C; c, f, i).
Furthermore, the anti-CCR4 monoclonal antibody mogamulizumab has been shown to have marked cytotoxic effects on ATL cells, especially in the leukemic type of ATL.
Thus, histone deacetylase inhibitors were expected to restore normal functions of wild-type RUNX1, and thereby affect the growth and differentiation ability of leukemic cells expressing the chimera.
