NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - New research indicates that the majority of human T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (T-ALLs) contain activating mutations in NOTCH1, a gene that encodes a key regulator of T cell development.
Given this finding, drugs that interfere with NOTCH1 signaling, such as certain experimental agents for Alzheimer’s disease, might be useful against this malignancy, senior author Dr. Jon C. Aster, from Harvard Medical School in Boston, and colleagues report in the October 8th issue of Science.
Previous reports have identified very rare cases of T-ALL in which NOTCH1-related chromosomal translocations are seen. In the new study, the authors show that activating NOTCH1 mutations are actually the rule rather than the exception in patients with T-ALL.
“These findings greatly expand the role of activated NOTCH1 in the molecular pathogenesis of human T-ALL and provide a strong rationale for targeted therapies that interfere with NOTCH signaling,” the investigators conclude.
Source: Science 2004;306:269-271. [ Google search on this article ]
MeSH Headings:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Acute: Leukemia, T-Cell: Leukemia, T-Cell, AcuteCopyright © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.
