OBJECTIVETo explore expression and significance of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) and survivin in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

METHODSPeripheral blood samples were collected from 68 patients with ALL in our hospital including 48 newby diagnosed patients, 13 patients in remission, 7 patients in relapse, and 20 healthy volunteers (control). The expressions of PTEN and survivin mRNA and protein were detected by real time PCR, Western blot and respectively, and clinical pathological parameter was analyzed.

RESULTSThe expressions of PTEN mRNA and protein in newby diagnosed, remission and relapsed group were lower than that in control group (P<0.01). The expressions of PTEN mRNA and protein in newly diagnosed and relapsed groups were lower than that in remission group (P<0.01). The expressions of survivin mRNA and protein in newly diagnosed, remission and relapsed group were higher than that in control group (P < 0.01). The expressions of survivin mRNA and protein in newly diagno sed and relapsed groups were higher than that in remission group (P < 0.01). The expressions of PTEN and survivin mRNA did not relahed with the age, sex and white blood count in ALL patients, and also did not related with the morphological classification in newly diagnosed ALL (P>0.05), but related with immunological calssification in newly diagnosed ALL (P < 0.01). The expressions of PTEN and survivin were negatively correlated in ALL (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPTEN and survivin play an important role in the occurrence, development and prognosis in ALL, and may be one of the potential targets for ALL treatment.