The Role of the JAK–STAT Pathway in Childhood B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract

B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia is a hematologic neoplasm that poses a serious health concern in childhood. Genetic aberrations, such as mutations in the genes IL-7, IL7R, JAK1, JAK2, TLSP, CRLF2, and KTM2A or gene fusions involving BCR::ABL1, ETV6::RUNX1, and PAX5::JAK2, often correlate with the onset of this disease. These aberrations can lead to malfunction of the JAK–STAT signaling pathway, which is implicated in various important biological processes, including those related to immunology. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the malfunction of the JAK–STAT pathway holds potential for research on drugs targeting its components. Available drugs that interfere with the JAK–STAT pathway include fludarabine, ruxolitinib, and fedratinib.