Motility of Leukemia Cells Prevents the Recurrence of Disease in the Central Nervous System

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in childhood is a curable disease. However, in some patients relapse occurs in the central nervous system (CNS). It is suggested that active motility of malignant lymphoblasts prevents CNS-relapse, because motile cells will be able to re-enter the bloodstream and so become subject to chemotherapy. Immotile lymphoblasts on the other hand, remain behind the blood brain barrier, escape chemotherapy and eventually give rise to CNS-relapse of leukemia.