OBJECTIVETo study the expression of nm23-H(1) gene in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and the relationship between nm23-H(1) expression and immunophenotype.

METHODSnm23-H(1) expression was measured by semiquantitative RT-PCR in children with ALL (newly diagnosed, n = 40; remission, n = 32; relapse, n = 16; refractory, n = 3). Twenty normal children served as the control group. The relationship between nm23-H(1) expression and immunophenotype was evaluated.

RESULTSThe expression of nm23-H(1) in the newly diagnosed ALL group was significantly higher than that in the control (p<0.01) and the remission groups (p<0.01). There was no difference in the nm23-H(1) expression between the remission and the control groups. The expression of nm23-H(1) in the relapse group was significantly higher than that in the control (p<0.01) and the remission groups (p<0.01), and similar to that in the newly diagnosed ALL group. The three children with refractory ALL had higher nm23-H(1) expression. Both the positive rate and expression of nm23-H(1) in children with T-lineage ALL were higher than in children with B-lineage ALL (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression level of nm23-H(1) varies with the stages of ALL. Newly diagnosed, relapsed and refractory ALL children have higher nm23-H(1) expression. High nm23-H(1) expression may be associated with a poor prognosis and relapse. A higher expression of nm23-H(1) in children with T-ALL may be contributed to a low remission rate and a poor prognosis.