[Dynamic observations of beta-catenin in chronic myeloid leukemia and its relationship with cytogenetic response].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the changes in the expression of beta-catenin in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in different phases, and explore the relationship between beta-catenin and the cytogenetic response to imatinib mesylate.


METHODS
Beta-catenin mRNA and protein expressions were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting in the bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) from 99 CML patients. The expressions of BCR-ABL fusion gene at both the mRNA and protein levels were detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in 94 patients before and during the one-year treatment with imatinib mesylate at the interval of 3 months, and the relationship between beta-catenin and cytogenetic response to imatinib mesylate was analyzed.


RESULTS
The expression of beta-catenin increased significantly in patients with blast crisis and accelerated phase (P<0.001), but showed no significant difference between normal subjects and CML patients in the chronic phase (P>0.05). The main cytogenetic remission rate was significantly higher in patients who were consistently negative for beta-catenin than in those consistently positive for beta-catenin or those with a positive transformation (P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Beta-catenin overexpression in the progression of CML, consistent high level of beta-catenin or a positive transformation may indicate a poor response to imatinib, and early measures should be taken to increase the remission rate.
Zou
Wai-yi
WY
Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China. waiyizou@medmail.com.cn
Xu
Duo-rong
DR
Su
Chang
C
Chen
Mei
M
Li
Juan
J
Luo
Shao-kai
SK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001549:Benzamides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001752:Blast Crisis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D055815:Young Adult; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism*
D001549:Benzamides; C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051176:beta Catenin; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate