A Case of High-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome With Cryoglobulinemia, Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis, and Progression to Multiple Organ Failure.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) are a group of hematological malignancies characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis. It is associated with genetic mutations, including p53 pathway genes, and can lead to complications, such as cytopenia and transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare, life-threatening condition that arises from immune dysregulation and often presents secondary to malignancies.

MerTK Drives Proliferation and Metastatic Potential in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by the absence of the estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and receptor tyrosine kinase HER2 expression. Due to the limited number of FDA-approved targeted therapies for TNBC, there is an ongoing need to understand the molecular underpinnings of TNBC for the development of novel combinatorial treatment strategies. This study evaluated the role of the MerTK receptor tyrosine kinase on proliferation and invasion/metastatic potential in TNBC.

AXL regulates neuregulin1 expression leading to cetuximab resistance in head and neck cancer.

Background: The receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed and an important therapeutic target in Head and Neck cancer (HNC). Cetuximab is currently the only EGFR-targeting agent approved by the FDA for treatment of HNC; however, intrinsic and acquired resistance to cetuximab is a major problem in the clinic. Our lab previously reported that AXL leads to cetuximab resistance via activation of HER3.

AXL Mediates Cetuximab and Radiation Resistance Through Tyrosine 821 and the c-ABL Kinase Pathway in Head and Neck Cancer.

Purpose: Radiation and cetuximab are therapeutics used in management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Despite clinical success with these modalities, development of both intrinsic and acquired resistance is an emerging problem in the management of this disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate signaling of the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL in resistance to radiation and cetuximab treatment.