Insights into the pathogenesis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis: the development of targeted therapies

Caroline Hutter,1,2 Milen Minkov1–3 1International LCH Study Reference Center, Children’s Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria; 2St. Anna Children's Hospital, University Clinic of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; 3De...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hutter C, Minkov M
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2016-10-01
Series:ImmunoTargets and Therapy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/insights-into-the-pathogenesis-of-langerhans-cell-histiocytosis-the-de-peer-reviewed-article-ITT
_version_ 1818920579601793024
author Hutter C
Minkov M
author_facet Hutter C
Minkov M
author_sort Hutter C
collection DOAJ
description Caroline Hutter,1,2 Milen Minkov1–3 1International LCH Study Reference Center, Children’s Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria; 2St. Anna Children's Hospital, University Clinic of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; 3Department of Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Rudolfstiftung Hospital, Vienna, Austria Abstract: More than a century after its first description, Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) still remains an intriguing disease. Considerable progress in understanding its biology has been achieved recently. Description of the V600E BRAF mutation in samples of LCH tissue in 2010 was followed by description of additional mutations, all leading to constitutive ERK activation. Current experimental data suggest that LCH is a myeloid neoplasia with inflammatory properties, yet the exact pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Disease management paradigms have changed over time, closely reflecting the evolving view of the nature of the disease. The international Histiocyte Society have conducted three prospective clinical studies on multisystem LCH since the early 1990s. The standard frontline therapy for patients with multisystem LCH based on the cumulative knowledge of those trials consists of 6–12 weeks of initial therapy (daily oral steroids and weekly vinblastine injections), followed by pulses of prednisolone/vinblastine every 3 weeks, for a total treatment duration of 12 months. A currently ongoing study (LCH-IV) with a complex design (five interventional and two observational strata) targets further reduction of mortality and morbidity by tailoring treatment intensity depending on expected risk, as well as by exploring treatment regimens for special locations. Current knowledge on LCH pathobiology opens opportunities for improvement in the patient outcome. The activating BRAF and MAP2K1 mutations collectively accounting for about 75% of the LCH population as well as the resulting constitutive activation of downstream ERK offer an opportunity for targeted treatment. Related issues (eg, finding most effective and less toxic drugs or combinations, appropriate dosage, and optimal treatment duration) must be addressed in controlled prospective trials. Additional mechanisms, such as the interactions of the mutated dendritic cell clone with other inflammatory cells and key cytokines and chemokines, still remain attractive targets for therapeutic intervention, particularly in patients with localized, less aggressive disease. Keywords: Langerhans cell histiocytosis, treatment, targeted therapy, BRAF, myeloid neoplasm
first_indexed 2024-12-20T01:24:00Z
format Article
id doaj.art-cdec13a066e14ac1b92444c63b0ef46b
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2253-1556
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-20T01:24:00Z
publishDate 2016-10-01
publisher Dove Medical Press
record_format Article
series ImmunoTargets and Therapy
spelling doaj.art-cdec13a066e14ac1b92444c63b0ef46b2022-12-21T19:58:19ZengDove Medical PressImmunoTargets and Therapy2253-15562016-10-01Volume 5819129388Insights into the pathogenesis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis: the development of targeted therapiesHutter CMinkov MCaroline Hutter,1,2 Milen Minkov1–3 1International LCH Study Reference Center, Children’s Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria; 2St. Anna Children's Hospital, University Clinic of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; 3Department of Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Rudolfstiftung Hospital, Vienna, Austria Abstract: More than a century after its first description, Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) still remains an intriguing disease. Considerable progress in understanding its biology has been achieved recently. Description of the V600E BRAF mutation in samples of LCH tissue in 2010 was followed by description of additional mutations, all leading to constitutive ERK activation. Current experimental data suggest that LCH is a myeloid neoplasia with inflammatory properties, yet the exact pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Disease management paradigms have changed over time, closely reflecting the evolving view of the nature of the disease. The international Histiocyte Society have conducted three prospective clinical studies on multisystem LCH since the early 1990s. The standard frontline therapy for patients with multisystem LCH based on the cumulative knowledge of those trials consists of 6–12 weeks of initial therapy (daily oral steroids and weekly vinblastine injections), followed by pulses of prednisolone/vinblastine every 3 weeks, for a total treatment duration of 12 months. A currently ongoing study (LCH-IV) with a complex design (five interventional and two observational strata) targets further reduction of mortality and morbidity by tailoring treatment intensity depending on expected risk, as well as by exploring treatment regimens for special locations. Current knowledge on LCH pathobiology opens opportunities for improvement in the patient outcome. The activating BRAF and MAP2K1 mutations collectively accounting for about 75% of the LCH population as well as the resulting constitutive activation of downstream ERK offer an opportunity for targeted treatment. Related issues (eg, finding most effective and less toxic drugs or combinations, appropriate dosage, and optimal treatment duration) must be addressed in controlled prospective trials. Additional mechanisms, such as the interactions of the mutated dendritic cell clone with other inflammatory cells and key cytokines and chemokines, still remain attractive targets for therapeutic intervention, particularly in patients with localized, less aggressive disease. Keywords: Langerhans cell histiocytosis, treatment, targeted therapy, BRAF, myeloid neoplasmhttps://www.dovepress.com/insights-into-the-pathogenesis-of-langerhans-cell-histiocytosis-the-de-peer-reviewed-article-ITTLangerhans cell histiocytosistreatmenttargeted therapyBRAFmyeloid neoplasm
spellingShingle Hutter C
Minkov M
Insights into the pathogenesis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis: the development of targeted therapies
ImmunoTargets and Therapy
Langerhans cell histiocytosis
treatment
targeted therapy
BRAF
myeloid neoplasm
title Insights into the pathogenesis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis: the development of targeted therapies
title_full Insights into the pathogenesis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis: the development of targeted therapies
title_fullStr Insights into the pathogenesis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis: the development of targeted therapies
title_full_unstemmed Insights into the pathogenesis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis: the development of targeted therapies
title_short Insights into the pathogenesis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis: the development of targeted therapies
title_sort insights into the pathogenesis of langerhans cell histiocytosis the development of targeted therapies
topic Langerhans cell histiocytosis
treatment
targeted therapy
BRAF
myeloid neoplasm
url https://www.dovepress.com/insights-into-the-pathogenesis-of-langerhans-cell-histiocytosis-the-de-peer-reviewed-article-ITT
work_keys_str_mv AT hutterc insightsintothepathogenesisoflangerhanscellhistiocytosisthedevelopmentoftargetedtherapies
AT minkovm insightsintothepathogenesisoflangerhanscellhistiocytosisthedevelopmentoftargetedtherapies