title: Blood Spotlight on iAMP21 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a high-risk pediatric disease.
abstract: Intrachromosomal amplification of chromosome 21 (iAMP21) defines a distinct cytogenetic subgroup of childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Breakage-fusion-bridge cycles followed by chromothripsis and other complex structural rearrangements of chromosome 21 underlie the mechanism giving rise to iAMP21. Patients with iAMP21 are older (median age 9 years), with a low white cell count. They have a high relapse rate when treated as standard risk. Recent studies have shown improved outcome on intensive therapy. Molecular targets for therapy are being sought.
authors.affiliation: Leukaemia Research Cytogenetics Group, Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Christine J
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0526-6794
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Harrison
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002891:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors