[Studies of hTERT gene expression in acute leukemia children].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the gene expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in acute leukemia (AL) children and its clinical implication.


METHODS
Expression of hTERT mRNA was detected in K562 leukemia cell line, 40 acute leukemia children (AL) and 10 healthy subjects by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
hTERT gene was expressed in K562 cell line, acute lymphoblastic leukemia children (23/30), acute myeloid leukemia children (7/10), and healthy subject (1/10). The expression level of hTERT gene was observed in all subtypes of AL and was related to the prognosis of AL, and the patients with relative level > or = 1.0 were found to have lower complete remission (CR) rates and disease-free survival.


CONCLUSIONS
hTERT gene expression is associated with the pathogenesis of childhood AL. It can serve as a prognostic indicator in childhood AL.
Li
Xihong
X
Department of Pediatrics, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Wang
Xiaoyang
X
Li
Xinxiao
X
Liu
Bailin
B
Zhang
Yan
Y
Liao
Qingkui
Q
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D020014:K562 Cells; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019098:Telomerase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019098:Telomerase