Reticulin fibres anchor leukaemic blasts in the marrow of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Abstract Reticulin fibrosis has been recognized in childhood ALL at diagnosis as part of the altered stromal structure in the bone marrow (BM). Increased fibre density is correlated with a higher concentration of leukaemia cells in the BM and lower numbers of blasts in peripheral blood. We hypothesize that these fibres anchor the leukaemia cells within the BM in close proximity to BM stromal cells (BMSC). The BMSC are a rich source of growth factors and cytokines which enhance leukaemia cell growth and provide protection against chemotherapy. Mobilizing the cells by breaking the ‘anchoring ropes’ could lead to greater exposure to apoptotic signals.