Circulating cells and exosomes in acute myelogenous leukemia and their role in disease progression and survival.

ABSTRACT

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematological malignancy associated with high rates of mortality. This incidence is due to the complexity in which the AML cells interact with other healthy human cells. These phenomena create an environment that favors the expansion of leukemic cells, which will affect the patient's prognosis. An important aspect is the ability of AML cells to evade immune responses via targeting and signaling immune cells to suppress anti-tumor responses. Many studies have reported that associations among components in the peripheral bloodstream might modulate leukemic progression because AML survival is a fundamental step for recolonizing bone marrow after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation or chemotherapy. Therefore, we collected the most important data about components that circulate with leukemic blasts and contribute to their survival and proliferation. We also discuss clinical approaches that could be conducted to more effectively treat the disease.