Leukemia

Leukemia may be divided into four types:

• Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL): Most common in children. 

• Acute myeloid leukemia (AML): Occurs in both adults and children.

• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): Most common in adults over the age of 55. 

• Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML): Occurs mainly in adults. 

Fusion Genes in leukemia

Leukemia (except CLL) often arises from chromosome translocation, resulting in fusion between two genes, thereby altering the functions of gene products. The following is a list of fusion genes. Further detail can be found on this site.

ALL:  AML1-ETV6,   ETV6-ABL,   ETV6-CDX2,   ETV6-CHIC2,   ETV6-JAK2,   IGH-BCL2,   IGH-IL3,   MLL-AF4,   MLL-GAS7,  MLL-MLLT1,   MLL-MLLT6,   MLL-MSF,   MYC-IGH/K/L,   MYC-TRA,  LMO2-TRA/B/D,   TAL1-TRA/B/D,   TAL1-TCTA,   TCF3-HLF,   TCF3-PBX1,   TCL1-TRA,   TCL3-TRD 

AML: AML1-ETO,   AML1-EVI1,   ETV6-ABL,   ETV6-CDX2, ETV6-CHIC2,   ETV6-MN1,   ETV6-EVI1,   FGFR1-FOP,   FUS-ERG,   MLL-ABI1,   MLL-AF1Q,   MLL-AF4,   MLL-AF6,   MLL-AF9,  MLL-AF10,   MLL-AFX1,   MLL-CBP,   MLL-ELL,   MLL-FBP17,   MLL-GAS7,   MLL-MLLT1,   MLL-MSF,   MLL-PNUTL1,   MLL-RARA,   MLL-SEPT6,   MOZ-CBP,   MYH11-CBFB,   NPM1-MLF1,   NUP98-HOXA9,   NUP214-DEK,   RARA-NUMA,   RARA-PML,   RARA-ZNF145,   RBM15-MAL,   PDGFRB-TRIP11,   TCF3-PBX1,  TCL1-TRA

CML: BCR-ABL

Alternate symbols: 
ABI1 = SSH3BP1
AF4 = MLLT2
AF6 = MLLT4
AF9 = MLLT3
AF10 = MLLT10
AF17 = MLLT6
AFX1 = MLLT7
AML1 = RUNX1
ETO = MTG8 = CBFA2T1
ETV6 = TEL
MOZ = ZNF220
NUP214 = CAN
TCF3 = E2A
TCL3 = HOX11 = TLX1

Prominent Genes in CLL

CLL is the most common leukemia in adults.  It is frequently associated with chromosomal deletions on 13q (50%), 11q (20%), and 17p (15%).  The major genes in 11q and 17p are ATM and p53, respectively.  However, the most important gene in 13q was not known.  Recently, researchers have identified in this region a new tumor suppressor gene which could be the long-sought gene (reference). 

Review Articles:

Adult Burkitt leukemia and lymphoma - Blood, 2004.

Genomic approaches to hematologic malignancies - Blood, 2004.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: revelations from the B-cell receptor - Blood, 2004.

Extending the repertoire of the mixed-lineage leukemia gene MLL in leukemogenesis - Genes and Development, 2004.

The roles of FLT3 in hematopoiesis and leukemia - Blood, 2002.

Receptor- and mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in acute leukemia: a translational view - Blood, 2001.

The BCR Gene and Philadelphia Chromosome-positive Leukemogenesis - Cancer Research, 2001.

Signaling pathways activated by daunorubicin - Blood, 2001.

The molecular biology of chronic myeloid leukemia  - Blood, 2000.