Exit of pediatric pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cells from the bone marrow to the peripheral blood is not associated with cell maturation or alterations in gene expression
2008

Study on Pediatric Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells

Sample size: 5 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Hansson Frida, Toporski Jacek, Månsson Robert, Johansson Bertil, Norén-Nyström Ulrika, Jacobsen Sten Eirik W, Wiebe Thomas, Larsson Marcus, Sigvardsson Mikael, Castor Anders

Primary Institution: Lund University

Hypothesis

Does the exit of pediatric pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells from the bone marrow to peripheral blood affect their maturation or gene expression?

Conclusion

The transition of ALL cells from the bone marrow into circulation does not involve major changes in gene expression patterns.

Supporting Evidence

  • Pre-B ALL cells from bone marrow and peripheral blood show high similarity in gene expression patterns.
  • Some malignant cells had matured beyond the pre-B cell stage in a subset of patients.
  • VEGF expression was higher in bone marrow compared to peripheral blood in ALL patients.

Takeaway

The study found that leukemia cells can move from the bone marrow to the blood without changing much, which is different from normal cells that need the bone marrow to grow.

Methodology

The study used a novel purification method to analyze gene expression patterns in leukemia cells from both bone marrow and peripheral blood.

Participant Demographics

Five children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and three with non-malignant disease.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1476-4598-7-67

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