title: Acute leukemias in children with Down syndrome.
abstract: Children with Down syndrome (DS) often present with hematopoietic abnormalities, and are at increased risk of developing leukemia. Specifically, 3-10% of newborns with DS are diagnosed with transient myeloproliferative disease, and children with DS are 500 times more likely to develop acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) and 20 times more likely to develop acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) than typical children. This review examines the characteristics of these leukemias and their development in the unique genetic background of trisomy 21. A discussion is also provided for areas of future research and potential therapeutic development.
authors.affiliation: Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA. Laura.Seewald@ucdenver.edu
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Seewald
authors.forename: Jeffrey W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Taub
authors.forename: Kelly W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Maloney
authors.forename: Edward R B
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: McCabe
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007947:Leukemia, Megakaryoblastic, Acute / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D009196:Myeloproliferative Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy