T-large granular lymphocytic leukemia

Abstract

T-cell large granular lymphocyte (T-LGL) leukemia is characterized by clonal expansion of cytotoxic T cells resulting in cytopenia. The proliferation of clonal LGLs is caused by prolonged antigenic stimulation, which leads to apoptotic dysregulation owing mainly to the constitutive activation of survival pathways, notably the JAK/STAT pathway. Understanding how leukemic T-LGL persists can aid in the development of future immunosuppressive therapies. In this review, we summarize the diagnosis and current standard of therapy for T-LGL leukemia, as well as recent advances in clinical trials.