Use of Immunotherapy in B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract

Cancer is a disease characterized by the unregulated cell growth of abnormal cells which possess the capability to invade and damage healthy body parts around existing healthy tissue. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is a very aggressive hematologic malignancy involving the overproduction of overly immature lymphoid cells, primarily in the peripheral blood and bone marrow. B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia(B-ALL) is a subtype of ALL, in which immature B lymphocytes expand uncontrollably in the bone marrow. Immunotherapy is a particularly attractive cancer treatment because of its capability to leverage the immune system to destroy malignant cells without damaging healthy tissue in the process. Unlike treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, immunotherapy can be utilized to recognize tumor antigens and adapt to changes in tumors. Many immunotherapy strategies have been developed for B-ALL treatment, involving chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, bispecific T cell engagers (BiTEs), antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), and BCL-2 inhibitors. In the future, immunotherapy has the potential to enhance long-term survival and provide the potential of curative treatments due to contemporary advancements in B-ALL care.