Detection of balanced translocations in acute lymphoblastic leukemia by a novel multiplex reverse transcriptase reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

Fusion transcripts detection is essential for subtyping and diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This enables institution of appropriate therapy and provides a parameter to monitor disease progression and response to therapy. This study endeared to detect and analyze various balanced translocations known in ALL by using a novel polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. A pilot study was done in which 16 consecutive cases of ALL were analyzed and followed-up for a period of 1 year. Diagnosis of ALL was established after subjecting blood/bone marrow aspirate samples to morphological examination, immunophenotyping, and detection of fusion transcripts by multiplex reverse transcription (RT)-PCR using HemaVision kit. Results were analyzed by correlating with morphology, immunophenotype, and response to therapy. Epi-Info statistical software was used. 43% (seven cases) showed balanced translocations, with all seven cases being B-ALL and t(9;22) being the most common. There was a consistent association of CD25 cases with t(9;22). Analyses of relation to other parameters were as expected by their respective WHO 2008 subtype. No significant correlation in terms of survival benefit was seen between cases with and without balanced translocations (P = 0.7472). The study demonstrated the utility of multiplex RT-PCR in the initial evaluation, subtyping, and monitoring minimal residual disease in ALL cases with balanced translocations, thereby guiding both therapy and prognosis. The consistent association of CD25 in cases of t(9;22) ALL indicated that CD25 could be used as a surrogate marker.

Mastocitosis sistémica: comunicación de 2 casos con presentación clínica semejante a linfoma / Two cases of systemic mastocytosis with a lymphoma-like presentation

Las mastocitosis son un grupo de trastornos neoplásicos clonales caracterizados por proliferación tisular de mastocitos morfológica y/o molecularmente anormales; son sistémicas cuando tienen localización extracutánea. El cuadro clínico es variable e inespecífico. Se han descrito casos asociados a otras neoplasias hematológicas, especialmente las de tipo mieloide y, en menor medida, linfoide. En la presente revisión informamos los casos de 2 mujeres en la sexta y séptima décadas de la vida con mastocitosis sistémica que involucraba la médula ósea, el ganglio linfático y la piel, con diagnóstico clínico inicial de linfoma en el que tras la reevaluación histológica con la coloración de Giemsa se identificaron mastocitos, agregados en acúmulos, morfológicamente anormales que fueron confirmados mediante la positividad para CD117, CD25 y CD45. Uno de los casos presentó una evolución clínica rápidamente desfavorable(AU)

Mastocytosis is a group of clonal neoplastic disorders characterized by tissue proliferation of mastocytes morphologically and/or molecularly abnormal, being systemic when it has extracutaneous location. The clinical picture is variable and nonspecific. Cases have been described associated to other hematological neoplasms, especially those of myeloid and, to a lesser extent, lymphoid type. We present two cases of systemic mastocytosis involving bone marrow, lymph nodes and skin in elderly female patients which were initially diagnosed clinically as lymphoma. However, an abnormal proliferation in cumulus of mastocytes was identificated histologically using Giemsa and confirmed by CD117, CD25 and CD45. One of the patients had a rapid, unfavorable clinical evolution(AU)

[Expression of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells and TGF-ß1 in patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura].

AIM: To investigate the expression rate of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells and TGF-ß1 in peripheral blood of the patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), and the role they play in the pathogenesis of ITP. METHOD: The population of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells in peripheral blood of 31 patients and 25 healthy donors was evaluated by flow cytometry, ELISA was used to test the level of TGF-ß1 in blood serum, and analysed the correlation between levels of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells and TGF-ß1. RESULTS: ITP patients had a lower proportion of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells than the healthy donors (P<0.05). The level of TGF-ß1 in ITP patients was also lower than healthy donors (P<0.05). There was not positive correlation between levels of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells and TGF-ß1 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the decreasing of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells in ITP patients may be connected with cellular immunity disturbance of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Further research need to be performed in metabolic changes on CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells and TGF-ß1 in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

[Isolation, identification and functional characterization of human CD4+ CD25+ Treg cells from human peripheral blood].

AIM: To isolate CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg cells from human peripheral blood, and study their functional characteristics. METHODS: The expressions of Foxp3 in human CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg cells were test by RT-PCR. The regulatory properties of CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg cells were assessed by co-culturing with CD4(+) CD25(-) T cells and CD8(+) T cells, or adding exogenous IL-2. The detection of intracellular cytokine production of IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma was done by flow cytometry. RESULTS: CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg cells highly expressed Foxp3 and mainly synthesized IL-10 that suppressed the proliferation of CD4(+) CD25(-) T and CD8(+) T cells. Its suppressive function was reversed by high concentration of IL-2 and (or) IL-4. CONCLUSION: CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg cells exhibited a subpopulation of immunoregulatory T cells with suppressive function, which could be reversed by high concentration of IL-2.