FLT3

Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that plays a crucial role in the proliferation, survival, and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells into blood cells. FLT3 is particularly important in the normal development of the immune system, especially in the generation of dendritic cells and lymphocytes. Mutations and overexpression of FLT3, such as internal tandem duplications (ITD) in the receptor, are frequently associated with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and are known to confer a poor prognosis. These mutations lead to the constitutive activation of FLT3, promoting uncontrolled cell proliferation. As a result, FLT3 is a significant target for therapeutic intervention in leukemia, with several inhibitors developed to block its activity in cancer cells.