New Targeted Therapy Combination Holds Promise to Untangle Hairy Cell Leukemia

NEJM Evid. 2023 Oct;2(10):EVIDe2300173. doi: 10.1056/EVIDe2300173. Epub 2023 Sep 26.

Abstract

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is an uncommon B-cell neoplasm uniquely characterized by a high prevalence of the BRAFV600E mutation, which leads to constitutive activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.1 In fact, the BRAFV600E point mutation is identified in nearly all cases of HCL; however, it is absent in HCL variant (vHCL) and rare in other B-cell neoplasms.2,3 Notably, in contrast to melanoma or other BRAF mutant solid tumors, HCL exhibits very few other mutations, potentially explaining the high response rates observed in patients treated with mutant BRAF-targeted agents, such as vemurafenib.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Hairy Cell* / drug therapy
  • Point Mutation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / genetics
  • Vemurafenib / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
  • Vemurafenib
  • Antineoplastic Agents