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wt1 gene expression in childhood leukemias
E Niegemann1, S Wehner, B Kornhuber
1Clinic of Pediatrics III, Department of Hematology and Oncology, J.W. Goethe-University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany. eniegemann@zki.uni-frankfurt.de
Acta Haematologica
|October 26, 1999
Summary
The Wilms' tumor gene (wt1) is frequently expressed in childhood leukemia, particularly in relapsed cases. This gene expression pattern in pediatric leukemia mirrors findings in adult patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The Wilms' tumor gene (wt1) is crucial during embryonic development.
- wt1 gene mutations are implicated in certain tumors, including Wilms' tumor.
- wt1 gene expression has been observed in some human leukemias.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate wt1 gene expression in various types of childhood leukemia.
- To compare wt1 expression frequencies in pediatric leukemia subtypes with adult data.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of bone marrow or peripheral blood from 61 pediatric leukemia patients.
- Utilized reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect wt1 gene expression.
Main Results:
- wt1 gene expression was detected in 73% of newly diagnosed childhood leukemia cases (35/48).
- wt1 expression was found in 92% of relapsed childhood leukemia cases (12/13).
- Expression levels were higher in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) than in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
Conclusions:
- wt1 gene expression is common in acute childhood leukemias.
- The frequency of wt1 expression in pediatric acute leukemia is comparable to that reported in adult patients.