Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026

Expression of Exogenous Cytokine in Patient-derived Xenografts via Injection with a Cytokine-transduced Stromal Cell Line
Published on: May 10, 2017
The BCL-2 protein in precursor B acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children
Radoslaw Chaber1, Lucja Fiszer-Maliszewska, Dorota Noworolska-Sauren
1Department of Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation, Oncology and Hematology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland. rchaber@wp.pl
Abstract:
The BCL-2 protein plays an important role in controlling apoptosis. Disorders of this process can lead to the emergence and development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and can determine the resistance of leukemic cells to chemotherapy. The levels of BCL-2 mRNA were determined in 20 children with pre-B ALL using RT-polymerase chain reaction and the percentage of BCL-2+ cells in 51 patients using flow cytofluorometry. Similar levels of BCL-2 mRNA (P=0.18) with a higher percentage of cells BCL-2+ (P=0.04) were shown in the bone marrow of patients with pre-B ALL compared to normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We could not find any connection between the level of BCL-2 mRNA or the percentage of BCL-2+ cells and selected clinical features. A high percentage of BCL-2+ cells and high levels of BCL-2 mRNA did not affect the 5-year overall survival probability nor the 5-year relapse-free survival probability. These results may indicate a high activity of mechanisms promoting the development of the final form of the BCL-2 protein from mRNA in leukemic cells. A high BCL-2 level does not affect the clinical course or worsen the prognosis in children with ALL.
Related Concept Videos
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
The Retinoblastoma Gene
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
Abnormal Proliferation
B Cell Activation and Differentiation
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants
The transplant begins with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which aim to destroy the...

