To investigate the immunological and other clinical characteristics in TEL/AML1+ childhood B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), immunophenotyping was performed with three-color flow cytometry, and the expression of TEL-AML1 fusion gene was detected with nested RT-PCR. Diagnosis was made according to FAB and MIC criteria. The results showed that (1) among 119 children with B-ALL, 22 (18.5%) were TEL-AML1 positive and classified as L2 morphological subtype. In TEL-AML1+ group, positive rate and score of PAS, which were 65% and 121 respectively, were all higher than that of TEL-AML1- group (P < 0.05); (2) compared with TEL-AML1- group, no significant difference was found in age, gender, white cell count and blasts count in peripheral blood of TEL-AML1+; (3) in TEL-AML1+ group, 21 out of 22 (95.5%) were common ALL, as compared with TEL-AML1- group, the positive rate of CD13 was higher (59.1%, 13/22) and the positive rate of CD20 was lower (22.7%, 5/22) than that in TEL-AML1- group, respectively (P < 0.05), and the mean fluorescence index of CD10 and HLA-DR significantly increased to 92.80 and 53.61, respectively (P < 0.05). It is concluded that TEL-AML1 rearrangement is a frequent molecular abnormality in childhood ALL. Leukemic blasts with this anomaly have special immunophenotypic characteristics. These characteristics may be useful in detection of minimal residual leukemia.
Antigens, CD20 ; analysis ; Burkitt Lymphoma ; genetics ; immunology ; CD13 Antigens ; analysis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit ; genetics ; Female ; HLA-DR Antigens ; analysis ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Infant ; Male ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics

Childhood leukemia bottleneck phenomenon is the most mysterious corollary of the prenatal origin discovery of leukemogenic chromosome translocations. The bottleneck is evidence that leukemia initiation, by in utero acquired chromosome translocations that generate functional fusion genes, is far more common than the incidence rate of corresponding leukemia. For childhood TEL-AML1(+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) this equates to approximately 100 times. Practically this means that among a hundred children born with TEL-AML1 fusion gene, only one child will later in its life develop ALL. The key data necessary for unraveling of this mystery were discovered in 2002. It was the level of TEL-AML1(+) cells’ frequency. The bottleneck is caused by the very low body TEL-AML1(+) cell count. Only one out of a thousand B cells carries TEL-AML1 fusion gene. TEL-AML1(+) body cell count is low because TEL-AML1 fusion is generated at cell level of 10(-3) to 10(-4) just during the late fetal lymphopoiesis i.e. after the 36th gestational week.
Child ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit ; analysis ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Models, Genetic ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; analysis ; genetics ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; etiology ; genetics ; Translocation, Genetic

This study was aimed to investigate various factors influencing long-term survival in adult AML patients with fusion gene aml1/eto positive. A single institutional retrospective study with long-term follow-up was performed to better define the prognostic factors for AML patients with aml1/eto positive. Newly diagnosed 89 adult AML patients with aml1/eto positive were followed up for 1 to 42 months (median 24 months) from January 2004 to July 2008. Univariate and multivariate analysis of potential factors influencing survival and prognosis were carried out by using Log-Rank and Cox regression method, including sex, age, initial WBC counts, extramedullary leukemic disease, central nervous system leukemia (CNSL), chromosome aberrations, immunophenotype, first induction regimen, chemotherapy course to complete remission (CR), time from induction therapy to CR, negative or positive rate of aml1/eto and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and so on. The results showed that the estimated 5-year overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) were (50.0 +/- 2.3)% and (47.0 +/- 1.9)% respectively in follow-up of 89 patients for 1 - 42 months (mean 24 months). Univariate analysis revealed that initial WBC counts, CNSL, chemotherapy course to CR, time from induction therapy to CR, persistent negative in remission and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were important prognostic factors for long-term surviva1. Multivariate study demonstrated that initial WBC counts, CNSL, CD56 positive, negative or positive rate of aml1/eto, time from induction therapy to CR, persistent negative result of RT-PCR assay in remission and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were all critical factors in relation to OS and RFS. It is concluded that Chinese adult AML patients with fusion gene aml1/eto positive have some different characteristics as compared with patients from other countries, a relatively poor outcome is observed in patients, HSCT should be recommended to adult AML patients.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; mortality ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; Prognosis ; RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the cellular activity of asparagine synthetase in different types of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

METHODSThe cellular activity of asparagine synthetase was detected by HPLC-FLD and Protein measurement in 28 ALL children (7 cases of T-ALL and 21 cases of B-lymphoid lineage ALL) before chemotherapy.

RESULTSThe asparagines synthetase activity levels in T-ALL children were significantly higher than those of the B-lymphoid lineage ALL patients, with the median activity level of 9.3 nM Asn/mg protein/hr vs 5.2 nM Asn/mg protein/hr (P < 0.05). The distribution of the asparagine synthetase activity demonstrated a polymorphism in either T-ALL or B-lymphoid lineage ALL patients.

CONCLUSIONSThe cellular activity of asparagines synthetase in ALL patients is presented with a polymorphism distribution. The asparagines synthetase activity levels in T-ALL are significantly higher than in B-lymphoid lineage ALL.

Asparaginase ; therapeutic use ; Aspartate-Ammonia Ligase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Child ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the application of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) in the detection of copy number variations (CNVs) in pediatric ETV6/RUNX1-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), to compare this method with conventional karyotype analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and to evaluate the value of MLPA.

METHODSThe clinical data of 95 children with ETV6/RUNX1-positive ALL who were treated from January 2006 to November 2012 were analyzed retrospectively, including clinical features, results of karyotype analysis, and results of FISH. CNVs were detected with MLPA.

RESULTSCNVs were detected in 73 (77%), and the median number of CNVs was 1 (range 0-6). The CNVs of EBF1, CDKN2A/2B, PAX5, ETV6, RB1, and BTG1 were detected in more than 10% of all the patients. The changes in the chromosome segments carrying the genes with CNVs detected by MLPA were not detected by conventional karyotype analysis. The coincidence rate between the CNVs in ETV6 gene detected by FISH and those detected by MLPA was 66%.

CONCLUSIONSMLPA is an efficient and convenient method to detect CNVs in children with ETV6/RUNX1-positive ALL.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit ; analysis ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Infant ; Male ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; analysis ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the probabilities of core-biding factor a1 (Cbfa1) expression by human skin fibroblasts induced in vitro.

METHODSThe fibroblasts were isolated, purified from human skin, and were grown in incubation in the media of TNF-alpha, BMP-2, and combined TNF-alpha and BMP-2 at certain concentrations, respectively. The changes in biological features of these fibroblasts correlated with osteogenesis were detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR assay.

RESULTSTNF-alpha could switch phenotype of collagen in fibroblasts from Type I and III to Type I and induce fibroblasts to express Ras and BMP type I receptor (BMPR-IA). TNF-alpha in combination with BMP-2 could induce fibroblasts to express Cbfa1 and osteocalcin mRNA.

CONCLUSIONHuman skin fibroblast could be induced into pro-osteoblast expressing Cbfa1, an osteoblast-specific transcription factor and a regulation of osteoblast differentiation, and combined use of TNF-alpha and BMP-2 was one of the regulating factors.

Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type I ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen ; biosynthesis ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit ; Core Binding Factors ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; Humans ; Neoplasm Proteins ; Osteocalcin ; biosynthesis ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; biosynthesis ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Receptors, Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; Skin ; cytology ; Transcription Factors ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology

No abstract available.
Adolescent ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit/analysis/genetics ; Cytogenetic Analysis ; Female ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl/analysis/genetics ; Hematologic Neoplasms/*diagnosis/genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/diagnosis/genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/analysis/genetics ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/diagnosis/genetics ; *Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was performed to determine the association between RUNX3 expression and Helicobacter pylori infection in premalignant gastric lesions. METHODS: We examined 107 patients with gastric epithelial dysplasia who had undergone endoscopic mucosal resection or submucosal dissection. All tissue samples were evaluated by RUNX3 staining and subclassified by immunophenotype. H. pylori infection in dysplastic lesions and the normal surrounding tissue was examined by silver staining, and cagA status was assessed by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The loss of RUNX3 expression was observed in 62 cases (57.9%), and an association with H. pylori infection was found in 54 cases (50.5%). The infection rate with the cagA-positive H. pylori strain was 63.0%. In RUNX3-negative lesions, the rate of H. pylori infection (p=0.03) and the frequency of category 4 lesions (according to the revised Vienna classification) were high (p=0.02). In addition, the gastric mucin phenotype was predominant. In RUNX3-negative category 4 lesions, the rate of cagA-positive H. pylori infection rate was high but not significantly increased (p=0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Infection with H. pylori is associated with inactivation of RUNX3 in early gastric carcinogenesis. This mechanism was prominent in gastric cancer with a gastric mucin phenotype.
Adenoma/*chemistry ; Aged ; Antigens, Bacterial/genetics ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Carcinoma/*chemistry ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit/*analysis ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa/*chemistry/pathology ; Helicobacter Infections/*metabolism ; Helicobacter pylori/*genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucin 5AC/analysis ; Mucin-2/analysis ; Mucin-6/analysis ; Neprilysin/analysis ; Phenotype ; Precancerous Conditions/*chemistry/pathology ; Stomach Neoplasms/*chemistry

OBJECTIVETo present a special case with the karyotype and molecular marker of acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-M2 who was induced to complete remission by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) alone.

METHODSA recently hospitalized young female patient with acute leukemia was initially diagnosed as M3 subtype based on morphological French-American-British (FAB) classification. Karyotype analysis using standard G and R banding techniques and RT-PCR were applied to further define the diagnosis. After primarily cultured bone marrow cells from the iliac aspiration were tested for in vitro induced differentiation, the patient was treated with oral all-trans retinoic acid alone, 60 mg per day until complete remission was achieved. Peripheral blood and bone marrow changes were monitored over the whole treatment course.

RESULTSThe characteristic chromosomal aberration for M3, the t(15;17) reciprocal translocation, was not found while a t(8;21) translocation was verified. Furthermore, an amplified product of the AML-1/ETO fusion gene instead of the PML/RAR alpha fusion gene was detected by RT-PCR and the diagnosis was corrected from M3 to M2. Primary cultured bone marrow cells can be fully induced to terminal differentiation after 4 days exposure to ATRA. A hematological complete remission was achieved after 40 days treatment with ATRA as a single therapeutic agent, suggesting an alternative pathway mediating ATRA-induced myeloid differentiation.

CONCLUSIONA leukemia patient with a subtype other than M3, such as M2 in this case, may also be induced to complete remission by the mechanism of ATRA-induced terminal differentiation. This implies that there may be a pathway other than PML/RAR alpha fusion gene product which mediates ATRA-induced myeloid maturation in leukemia cells.

Adolescent ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Neoplasm Proteins ; analysis ; genetics ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; physiology ; Tretinoin ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficiency of one-step multiplex RT-PCR for identifying four common fusion transcripts (TEL/AML1, E2A/PBX1, MLL/AF4 and BCR/ABL) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

METHODSTotal RNA was extracted from bone marrow samples of 76 children who were newly diagnosed with ALL between January 2003 and December 2010. These RNAs were analyzed for TEL/AML1, E2A/PBX1, MLL/AF4 and BCR/ABL by one-step multiplex RT-PCR or common nested-multiplex PCR. The PCR products were confirmed by DNA sequencing.

RESULTSTEL/AML1 was found in 12 cases (the length of products was 298 bp in 9 cases and 259 bp in 3 cases), E2A/PBX1 was found in 3 cases (the length of products was 373 bp), BCR/ABL was found in 1 case (the length of products was 2 124 bp), and MLL/AF4 was found in 7 cases (the length of products was 427 bp in 1 case and 673 bp in 6 cases) using one-step multiplex RT-PCR combined with DNA sequencing. The results were consistent with those using common nested-multiplex PCR.

CONCLUSIONSOne-step multiplex RT-PCR may be another alternative for detection of common fusion transcripts in children with ALL.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit ; genetics ; Female ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein ; genetics ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sequence Analysis, DNA