Aberrant DNA methylation in adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and the therapeutic potential of hypomethylating agents

Abstract

Aberrant DNA methylation is prevalent in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), particularly in adult cases, where abnormally high methylation levels correlate significantly with patient age and survival outcomes. Indeed, older patients are more frequently classified into high-risk subgroups due to gene dysfunction driven by aberrant methylation, highlighting its prognostic value. Thus, DNA methylation serves as a valuable prognostic marker for adult patients and supports the therapeutic use of hypomethylating agents (HMAs). In this review, we summarize the latest insights into DNA methylation and its regulation in the context of adult B-ALL and outline the potential clinical application of HMAs for adult patients.

Keywords

Adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia / DNA methylation / Epigenetic regulators / Hypomethylating agents

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Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China(82030076)

Shenzhen Clinical Research Center of Hematology(LCYSSQ20220823091401002)

Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen(SZSM202111004)

Shenzhen Key Laboratory Foundation(ZDSYS20200811143757022)

Medicine Plus Program of Shenzhen University(000003011601)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Shenzhen University School of Medicine; Fondazione Istituto FIRC di Oncologia Molecolare