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) leading to dysregulated cell cycle. Risk factors of B-ALL are the history of parvovirus B 19 infection, high birth weight and exposure to environmental toxins. These risk factors can induce abnormal DNA methylation and DNA damages. Treatment procedures are divided into three phases: Induction, consolidation and maintenance. The goal of treatment is complete remission without relapses. Apart from traditional treatments, newly developed approaches include gene targeting therapy, with the aim of wiping out leukemic cells through the inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases and via c-Myb inhibition enhancing sensitivity to chemotherapy. To evaluate the efficacy of ongoing treatments, several indicators are currently used. The indicators include the expression levels of microRNAs (miRs) miR-146a, miR-155, miR-181a and miR-195, and soluble interleukin 2 receptor. Multiple drug resistance and levels of glutathione reductase can affect treatment efficacy through the increased efflux of anti-cancer drugs and weakening the effect of chemotherapy through the reduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species. The present review appraised recent studies on B-ALL regarding its pathogenesis, risk factors, treatments, treatment evaluation and causes of disease relapse. Understanding the mechanisms of B-ALL initiation and causes of treatment failure can help physicians improve disease management and reduce relapses.
Huang et al. (Mon,) studied this question.