A discrete mathematical model of gene regulation in pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Cancer is a significant global health concern, especially for children. Worldwide, it remains one of the leading causes of death, with leukemia being a major contributor to cancer-related fatalities among children and adolescents. Among the various types of leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most prevalent in children. Specifically, B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) accounts for approximately 85% of childhood ALL cases.While numerous studies have attempted to unravel the complexities of this disease and propose potential treatments, these approaches have shown limitations and often yielded mixed results. In recent years, mathematical models have emerged as valuable tools in understanding cancer, particularly through the development of logical network models that explore cancer cell behavior and their interactions with the microenvironment.In this work, we construct a discrete logical network model to investigate gene regulation in B lymphocytes, focusing on key genes implicated in the development of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The model dynamics are consistent with known activation patterns of these genes in malignant cells, providing a robust framework for studying pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.