ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the gene expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)in childhood acute non- lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) and its clinical implication. Methods Expression of hTERT mRNA was detected in HL - 60 leukemia cell line, 14 ANLL children and 11 healthy children by reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR). Results hTERT gene was expressed in HL-60 cell line, ANLL children (11/14) and healthy children (2/11). The expression of hTERT gene was observed in all subtypes of ANLL. Furthermore, there were statistically significant differences in expression levels of hTERT gene between children with ANLL and healthy children (t = 5.034 P = 0). Conclusions The up - regulation of gene expression of hTERT may play a very important role in the progression of children ANLL. The detection of hTERT expression may be a useful additional method for monitoring the state of illness.