Objective To investigate the expression of DcR3 mRNA in cells of acute leukemia(AL) and its clinical significance.Methods The DcR3 mRNA of bone marrow mononuclear cells(BMNC) in the patients with AL was detected by RTPCR.There were 28 AML cases,and 18 ALL cases.27 cases of non-malignant hematopathy were used as control group.The expression level of DcR3 mRNA in BMNC was detected with RT-PCR.Results The positive rate of DcR3 mRNA was 67.4% and gene expression level was 0.56?0.09 in AL group,while they were 40.7% and 0.39?0.19 in control group,there were significant differences(P0.05).The positive expression level of DcR3 mRNA increased when the white blood cell count was ≥30?109?L-1.Conclusion DcR3 gene might play a role by suppressing apoptosis in leukemogenesis.