title: [Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL)].
abstract: Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) was first discovered and reported in Japan, where it has a high incidence in the southwest region. The retrovirus HTLV-I (human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I) is considered to be related to its etiology. In ATL endemic areas, HTLV-I carriers are found at a fairly high percentage even among healthy individuals. ATL shows diverse clinical features. It can be divided into 5 types (acute type, chronic type, smoldering type, crisis type, and lymphoma type). ATL cells originate from the CD4-positive subset of peripheral T cells; they show a characteristic notch in the nucleus and a lobulation tendency. ATL resists chemotherapy, and patients with acute and lymphoma types have quite a poor prognosis. A definite diagnosis of ATL is made by documenting the presence of HTLV-I proviral DNA in the DNA of tumor cells. HTLV-I infection is caused by transmission of live lymphocytes via three routes (from mother to children, from males to females, and by transfusion). Familial occurrence of ATL is frequently seen. HTLV-I infection is also seen in other countries, but its incidence is highest in Japan. It is thus an urgent task for Japanese physicians to eliminate HTLV-I infection.
authors: Kumamoto University Medical School.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Takatsuki
mesh_terms: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003070:Coformycin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D015458:Leukemia, T-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D015459:Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015649:Pentostatin; D010778:Photochemotherapy
chemical_list: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003070:Coformycin; D015649:Pentostatin