Lecture 16: Cell Biology in Leukaemia

Question 1

what is the diagnosis for leukaemia

Answer 1

multi-factoral
imaging, pathology
full blood count
blood film
bone marrow trephine/ aspirate
cytigenetics and immunophenotyping

Question 2

what is APL

Answer 2

acute promyelocytic leukaemia- acute myeloid leukaemia
characterised by an abnormal increase in promyelocytes

Question 3

what is RARA

Answer 3

gene encodes for retinoic acid receptor alpha protein which is a nuclear hormone receptor
involved in regulation of cell differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis

Question 4

what is treatment

Answer 4

ATRA is a derivative of vitamin A which acts as a ligand for RARA inducing conformational change that allows it to bind to DNA and activate transcription of target genes involved in myeloid differentiation

Question 5

what is RUNX1

Answer 5

gene which encodes a transcription factor protein which regulates heamatopoiesis - dysregulation is connected to leukemia

Question 6

explain ALL

Answer 6

acute lymphoblastic leukeamia
uncontrolled proliferation of immature lymphoid cells which infiltrate organ systems