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Wilms' tumor gene WT1: its oncogenic function and clinical application.
1Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Osaka University Medical School, Japan. sugiyama@sahs.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
International Journal of Hematology
|May 25, 2001
Summary
The Wilms' tumor gene (WT1) acts as an oncogene in certain cancers, not a tumor suppressor. WT1 messenger RNA is a valuable marker for detecting minimal residual disease in leukemias and monitoring myelodysplastic syndromes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The Wilms' tumor gene (WT1) is implicated in childhood renal tumors.
- WT1 is traditionally classified as a tumor suppressor gene.
- However, WT1 exhibits complex roles in various malignancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dual role of the WT1 gene in different cancer types.
- To explore WT1 messenger RNA (mRNA) as a diagnostic marker for hematological malignancies.
- To evaluate the WT1 gene product as a potential tumor antigen for immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of WT1 gene expression in leukemic blast cells.
- Utilizing WT1 mRNA for minimal residual disease detection in leukemia.
- Monitoring disease progression in myelodysplastic syndromes using WT1.
- Assessing WT1 gene product's potential to elicit cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses.
Main Results:
- Wild-type WT1 is highly expressed in both myeloid and lymphoid leukemic cells.
- WT1 mRNA serves as a novel tumor marker for minimal residual disease in leukemias.
- WT1 demonstrates an oncogenic function in solid tumors and leukemias, contrary to its tumor suppressor definition.
- The WT1 gene product is identified as a tumor antigen that can stimulate anti-tumor immune responses.
Conclusions:
- WT1 possesses oncogenic properties and is not solely a tumor suppressor.
- WT1 mRNA is a significant biomarker for early detection and monitoring of leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes.
- WT1 holds promise as a therapeutic target and antigen for cancer immunotherapy.