Identified new molecules that regulate progression of B-cell malignancies

Multiple myeloma (MM) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) are two B-cell malignancies which have high incidence rate and are still incurable. Its progression involves migration and localization of malignant cell in the bone marrow and the subsequent expansion in this organ. Using intravital microscopy of the mouse bone marrow, a study recently published in Leukemia shows that initial steps of adhesion and “rolling” in vivo of these malignant B-cell to the microvasculature of the bone marrow requiere integrin a4b1 and selectins P y E, respectively. Cytoplasmic proteins taline and kindlin-3, which interact with a4b1, stimulate adhesion of MM and CLL cells to that microvasculature, while ICAP-1 inhibits the adhesion. Therefore, election of intracellular regulators of a4b1 as therapeutical targets in combination with current therapies might provide positive effects to compete with the resistance to chemotherapy of the mentioned B-cell malignances.

The work has been directed from CIB, by Joaquín Teixidó and María Angeles García Pardo groups, in collaboration with CNIC researchers and the hospitals Gregorio Marañón, 12 de Octubre, Puerta de Hierro and Universitario de Salamanca. Authors are members of Neoplasbim consortium, funded by Comunidad de Madrid, and Thematic Network for Cooperative Research in Cancer (RTICC) at Instituto de Salud Carlos III.