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Published on: September 18, 2013
PRAME Gene Expression in Acute Leukemia and Its Clinical Significance
Kai Ding1, Xiao-Ming Wang, Rong Fu
1Department of Hematology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300052, China.
Objective:
To investigate the expression of the preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma (PRAME) gene in acute leukemia and its clinical significance.
Methods:
The level of expressed PRAME mRNA in bone marrow mononuclear cells from 34 patients with acute leukemia (AL) and in 12 bone marrow samples from healthy volunteers was measured via RT-PCR. Correlation analyses between PRAME gene expression and the clinical characteristics (gender, age, white blood count, immunophenotype of leukemia, percentage of blast cells, and karyotype) of the patients were performed.
Results:
The PRAME gene was expressed in 38.2% of all 34 patients, in 40.7% of the patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML, n=27), and in 28.6% of the patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL, n=7), but was not expressed in the healthy volunteers. The difference in the expression levels between AML and ALL patients was statistically significant. The rate of gene expression was 80% in M3, 33.3% in M2, and 28.6% in M5. Gene expression was also found to be correlated with CD15 and CD33 expression and abnormal karyotype, but not with age, gender, white blood count or percentage of blast cells.
Conclusions:
The PRAME gene is highly expressed in acute leukemia and could be a useful marker to monitor minimal residual disease. This gene is also a candidate target for the immunotherapy of acute leukemia.
Insights
The preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma (PRAME) gene is significantly expressed in acute leukemia patients, unlike healthy individuals. PRAME gene expression may serve as a valuable biomarker for monitoring minimal residual disease in acute leukemia.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- The preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma (PRAME) gene's role in hematological malignancies is under investigation.
- Understanding PRAME gene expression in acute leukemia is crucial for diagnostic and therapeutic advancements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of the PRAME gene in acute leukemia (AL).
- To determine the clinical significance and potential applications of PRAME gene expression in AL.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure PRAME mRNA levels.
- PRAME expression was analyzed in bone marrow samples from 34 AL patients and 12 healthy volunteers.
- Correlation analyses were performed between PRAME expression and various clinical and biological characteristics of AL.
Main Results:
- PRAME gene expression was detected in 38.2% of acute leukemia patients, with higher prevalence in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) than acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
- PRAME expression showed significant correlation with specific leukemia subtypes (M3, M2, M5), CD15 and CD33 expression, and abnormal karyotype.
- No expression of the PRAME gene was observed in healthy volunteers.
Conclusions:
- The PRAME gene is significantly expressed in acute leukemia, suggesting its potential as a biomarker.
- PRAME gene expression could be a valuable tool for monitoring minimal residual disease in acute leukemia patients.
- The PRAME gene represents a potential therapeutic target for immunotherapy in acute leukemia.
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