Do reactive oxygen species play a role in myeloid leukemias?

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a heterogeneous group of molecules that are generated by mature myeloid cells during innate immune responses, and are also implicated in normal intracellular signaling. Excessive production of ROS (and/or a deficiency in antioxidant pathways) can lead to oxidative stress, a state that has been observed in several hematopoietic malignancies including acute and chronic myeloid leukemias (AML and CML). Currently it is unclear what the cause of oxidative stress might be and whether oxidative stress contributes to the development, progression, or maintenance of these diseases.