Molecular abnormalities in chronic myeloid leukemia: deregulation of cell growth and apoptosis

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a disease of the hematopoietic system, characterized by the presence of the Bcr-Abl oncoprotein. The main characteristics of this disease include adhesion independence, growth factor independence, and resistance to apoptosis. Loss or mutation of the tumor suppressor gene, p53, is one of the most frequent secondary mutations in CML blast crisis. The transition between chronic phase and blast crisis is associated with increased resistance to apoptosis correlating with poor prognosis. This review focuses on the involvement of these two oncoproteins in the development and progression of the apoptotic-resistant phenotype in CML.