Immune System Development and Function Unit, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBM, CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain.
Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
Bioessays. 2024 Sep;46(9):e2400033. doi: 10.1002/bies.202400033. Epub 2024 Jul 26.
B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) is the most common pediatric cancer, arising most often in children aged 2-5 years. This distinctive age distribution hints at an association between B-ALL development and disrupted immune system function during a susceptible period during childhood, possibly triggered by early exposure to infection. While cure rates for childhood B-ALL surpass 90% in high-income nations, survivors suffer from diminished quality of life due to the side effects of treatment. Consequently, understanding the origins and evolution of B-ALL, and how to prevent this prevalent childhood cancer, is paramount to alleviate this substantial health burden. This article provides an overview of our current understanding of the etiology of childhood B-ALL and explores how this knowledge can inform preventive strategies.
B 细胞急性淋巴细胞白血病（B-ALL）是最常见的儿科癌症，多发生于 2-5 岁的儿童。这种独特的年龄分布提示 B-ALL 的发展与儿童期易感染时期免疫系统功能受损有关，可能是由早期感染触发的。虽然高收入国家儿童 B-ALL 的治愈率超过 90%，但幸存者因治疗的副作用而生活质量下降。因此，了解 B-ALL 的起源和演变，以及如何预防这种常见的儿童癌症，对于减轻这一重大健康负担至关重要。本文概述了我们目前对儿童 B-ALL 病因的理解，并探讨了如何将这些知识应用于预防策略。
