Expression of Late Cell Cycle Genes and an Increased Proliferative Capacity Characterize Very Early Relapse of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract

Very early relapse of ALL is characterized by an increased proliferative capacity of leukemic blasts and up-regulated mitotic genes. The latter suggests that novel drugs, targeting late cell cycle proteins, might be beneficial for these patients that typically face a dismal prognosis.