1800 Williams St., Suite 200 • Denver, CO 80218
Phone 303-388-4876 • Fax 303-336-2193 • Toll Free 1-800-891-7622

URL http://www.rockymountainbmt.com/news/Acute-lymphoblastic-leukemia-ALL-poor-prognosis-could-be-linked-to-ASPP1-gene-promoter-expression-4896.html

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) poor prognosis could be linked to ASPP1 gene promoter expression

10-02-2006

"We have analyzed the regulation and expression of ASPP members, genes implicated in the regulation of the apoptotic function of the TP53 tumor-suppressor gene, in ALL. Expression of ASPP1 was significantly reduced in ALL and was dependent on hypermethylation of the ASPP1 gene promoter," researchers in Spain reported.

"Abnormal ASPP1 expression was associated with normal function of the tumor-suppressor gene TP53 in ALL," explained X. Agirre and colleagues, University of Navarra. "The analyses of 180 patients with ALL at diagnosis showed that the ASPP1 promoter was hypermethylated in 25% of cases with decreased mRNA expression. Methylation was significantly higher in adult ALL vs childhood ALL (32 vs 17%, p=.03) and T-ALL vs B-ALL (50 vs 9%, p=.001).

"Relapse rate (62 vs 44%, p=.05) and mortality (59 vs 43%, p=.05) were significantly higher in patients with methylated ASPP1. DFS and OS were 32.8 and 33.7% for patients with unmethylated ASPP1 and 6.1 and 9.9% for methylated patients (p<.001 y p<.02, respectively)."

The researchers concluded, "On the multivariate analysis, methylation of the ASPP1 gene promoter was an independent poor prognosis factor in ALL patients. Our results demonstrate that decreased expression of ASPP1 in patients with ALL is due to an abnormal methylation of its promoter and is associated with a poor prognosis."

Agirre and colleagues published their study in Oncogene (ASPP1, a common activator of TP53, is inactivated by aberrant methylation of its promoter in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Oncogene, 2006;25(13):1862-1870).

For additional information, contact F. Prosper, University of Navarra, Clinic University, Foundation Applied Med Research, Division Cancer & Area Cell Therapy, Avda Pio 12 36, Navarra 31008, Spain.

Keywords: Navarra, Spain, ASPP1, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, MSP, Methylation, Oncology, Pediatric, TP53, Tumor Suppression, Tumors, Prognosis.

This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.