ASH 2021 | The role of p53 mutation in LT in post MPN-AML

Raajit Rampal, MD, PhD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, discusses some findings from a study which used mouse models to investigate the role of p53 mutations in leukemic transformation (LT) in post-myeloproliferative neoplasm to acute myeloid leukemia (MPN-AML). First, Dr Rampal explains the causal role that p53 mutation plays in transformed disease, and the questions that this study aimed to answer, including which pathways are involved, where the disease arises from, and whether bi-allelic or mono-allelic alteration of p53 is necessary for LT. Following this, Dr Rampal goes into further details on the mechanisms involved in LT, with focus on the BMP/SMAD pathway, which appears to be highly upregulated and plays a functional role in the process of transformation. To conclude, Dr Rampal mentions the future goals of this research, including a need to better understand the de-regulation and targeting of the BMP/SMAD pathway. This interview took place at the 63rd ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition Congress, Atlanta, GA, 2021.