EVI1 dysregulation: impact on biology and therapy of myeloid malignancies

Blood Cancer J. 2021 Mar 22;11(3):64. doi: 10.1038/s41408-021-00457-9.

Abstract

Ecotropic viral integration site 1 (Evi1) was discovered in 1988 as a common site of ecotropic viral integration resulting in myeloid malignancies in mice. EVI1 is an oncogenic zinc-finger transcription factor whose overexpression contributes to disease progression and an aggressive phenotype, correlating with poor clinical outcome in myeloid malignancies. Despite progress in understanding the biology of EVI1 dysregulation, significant improvements in therapeutic outcome remain elusive. Here, we highlight advances in understanding EVI1 biology and discuss how this new knowledge informs development of novel therapeutic interventions. EVI1 is overexpression is correlated with poor outcome in some epithelial cancers. However, the focus of this review is the genetic lesions, biology, and current therapeutics of myeloid malignancies overexpressing EVI1.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Genomic Instability
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / genetics*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / pathology
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / therapy
  • MDS1 and EVI1 Complex Locus Protein / genetics*
  • Mutation
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Transcriptional Activation

Substances

  • MDS1 and EVI1 Complex Locus Protein
  • MECOM protein, human