Cyclin D1 expression in acute leukemia.

BACKGROUND

Disorders of the cell cycle regulatory machinery play a key role in the pathogenesis of cancer. Over expression of cyclin D1 protein has been reported in several solid tumors and certain lymphoid malignancies, but little is known about the involvement of cyclin D1 in acute leukemia.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

In this study, we analyzed the expression of cyclin D1 at protein level in, 40 newly diagnosed patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 10 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and 11 normal controls using flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The expression of cyclin D1 was not significantly different in AML group as compared to normal controls. On the other hand, over expression of cyclin D1 was evident in ALL group (4/10) as compared to that in healthy control. The ALL cases with cyclin D1 over expression were significantly correlated to blast cell counts in the peripheral blood and bone marrow (BM) but not with hemoglobin level, WBC, and platelets count. The ALL group with lymphadenopathy and organomegaly express significantly higher cyclin D1 over expression as compared to those without.

CONCLUSION

The biological value of cyclin D1 over expression might be different in AML and ALL.