Targeting of prosurvival pathways as therapeutic approaches against primary effusion lymphomas: past, present, and Future

Biomed Res Int. 2015:2015:104912. doi: 10.1155/2015/104912. Epub 2015 Jan 28.

Abstract

Constitutively activated prosurvival pathways render cancer cells addicted to their effects. Consequently they turn out to be the Achilles' heels whose inhibition can be exploited in anticancer therapy. Primary effusion lymphomas (PELs) are very aggressive non-Hodgkin's B cell lymphomas, whose pathogenesis is strictly linked to Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) infection. Here we summarized previous studies from our and other laboratories exploring the cytotoxic effect of drugs inhibiting the main prosurvival pathways activated in PEL cells. Moreover, the immunogenicity of cell death, in terms of dendritic cell (DC) activation and their potential side effect on DCs, is discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Dendritic Cells / drug effects
  • Dendritic Cells / virology
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Primary Effusion / drug therapy*
  • Lymphoma, Primary Effusion / virology

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents