Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:2.7.10.2 (focal adhesion kinase)
44,029 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a clonal disorder of unknown etiology involving a multipotent hematopoietic progenitor cell that is characterized by the accumulation of phenotypically normal red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the absence of a definable cause; extramedullary hematopoiesis, marrow fibrosis, and, in a few patients, transformation to acute leukemia can also occur. First described in 1892, the cause of the disease remains unknown and no potentially curative therapy other than bone marrow transplantation is currently available. It is commonly held that PV is a rare disorder, when in fact with a minimum incidence of 2.6 per 100,000 it is more common than chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and is particularly prevalent in persons of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. However, the incidence of PV is not as high as that of erythrocytosis from other causes collectively, which poses a problem in differential diagnosis when PV presents as isolated erythrocytosis. Characteristic features of PV are erythropoietin (Epo)-independent in vitro erythroid colony formation, as well as hypersensitivity to many other hematopoietic growth factors. Recently, a remarkable association between PV and a somatic point mutation of the JAK2 tyrosine kinase (JAK2 V617F) was described. Functional assays have revealed that JAK2 V617F is capable of inducing constitutive STAT5-mediated signaling in vitro, as well as erythrocytosis in vivo in mice. These data suggest that the JAK2 V617F mutation participates in the pathogenesis of PV. In current clinical practice, two different clinical approaches have been used to diagnose PV. One approach requires establishing the presence of absolute erythrocytosis by directly determining the red cell mass (RCM). A second approach utilizes a RCM-independent diagnostic algorithm based on the serum Epo level and bone marrow histology. Screening for JAK2 V617F can now be added to both diagnostic algorithms. However, it is very clear that some patients with classical PV lack the JAK2 V617F mutation, while some patients with other chronic myeloproliferative disorders such as idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF) and essential thrombocytosis (ET) also express the JAK2 V617F mutation. Therefore, by necessity, any discussion of PV must take into consideration these companion myeloproliferative disorders, and since erythrocytosis is the single clinical feature that sets PV apart from IMF and ET, it is clear that the presence of the JAK2 V617F mutation cannot by itself establish a diagnosis of PV. Phlebotomy remains the mainstay of therapy for PV. In addition, both aspirin and cytoreductive therapy have been employed to control thrombocytosis and in the case of the latter, leukocytosis and extramedullary hematopoiesis as well. Despite recent progress in the field, several important issues remain controversial. In this review, we will present the areas of agreement, but also point out where the authors' personal viewpoints differ.
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PMID:Polycythemia vera: scientific advances and current practice. 1621 34

The Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) as a secondary cytogenetic abnormality is a rare event. It is observed mostly as an additional, late-appearing cytogenetic change during the evolution of acute leukemia and its presentation as a secondary change at the onset of disease is much rarer. We describe here a patient with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) who had Ph as a secondary chromosome abnormality at diagnosis. Cytogenetic analysis showed an abnormal karyotype, 45,XY,inv(3)(q21q26),-7[4]/45,idem, t(9;22)(q34;q11.2). The p190 variety of BCR-ABL rearrangements was confirmed by a real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction using fluorescent probes. To our knowledge, the minor BCR-ABL fusion gene involving a secondary Ph superimposed on inv(3) and monosomy 7 has not been reported in AML at diagnosis. Along with the identification of more cases, it will be possible to understand the exact role of this secondary Ph in a multistep leukemogenesis.
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PMID:The Philadelphia chromosome as a secondary abnormality in inv(3)(q21q26) acute myeloid leukemia at diagnosis: confirmation of p190 BCR-ABL mRNA by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. 1649 May 99

The quantitative levels of intracellular cytokines IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-gamma (ie, the number of bound PE-conjugated antibody molecules/cell) of leukemic cells and bone marrow T cells (bmT cells) of acute leukemia patients were analyzed by flow cytometry. One hundred, thirty-one (95 AML, 25 ALL, 11 ABL) patients were studied. The leukemic cell IL-4 level was highest in the monocytic AML group (1735 +/- 1056) and lowest in the dysplastic AML group (960 +/- 545). The IFN-gamma level was highest in the acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) group (495 +/- 159), and lowest in the ALL group (252 +/- 119). The IL-10 level was not significantly different among the diagnosis groups. In bmT cells, the IL-10 level was highest in the dysplastic AML group (972 +/- 1049) and lowest in the APL group (397 +/- 352). The leukemic cell cytokine levels were lowest and bmT cell cytokine levels were highest in the dysplastic AML group. There were no significant correlations of these cytokine levels with 2-yr survival rate, complete remission (CR) rate, or relapse rate. The cytokine levels of bmT cells at the time of CR became normal and were not different among the diagnosis groups. In summary, leukemic cell and bmT cell cytoplasmic expression profiles of IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-gamma are characteristic for each diagnostic group of acute leukemia patients and the profiles of bmT cells are normal at the time of CR.
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PMID:Intracellular IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-gamma levels of leukemic cells and bone marrow T cells in acute leukemia. 1650 Dec 31

The telomerase complex is responsible for telomere maintenance and represents a promising neoplasia therapeutic target. Recently, we have demonstrated that treatment with a G-quadruplex-interactive agent, telomestatin reproducibly inhibited telomerase activity in the BCR-ABL-positive leukemic cell lines. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms of apoptosis induced by telomerase inhibition in acute leukemia. We have found the activation of caspase-3 and poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase in telomestatin-treated U937 cells (PD20) and dominant-negative DN-hTERT-expressing U937 cells (PD25). Activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and MKK3/6 was also found in telomestatin-treated U937 cells (PD20) and dominant-negative DN-hTERT-expressing U937 cells (PD25); however, activation of JNK and ASK1 was not detected in these cells. To examine the effect of p38 MAP kinase inhibition on growth properties and apoptosis in telomerase-inhibited cells, we cultured DN-hTERT-expressing U937 cells with or without SB203580. Dominant-negative-hTERT-expressing U937 cells stopped proliferation on PD25; however, a significant increase in growth rate was observed in the presence of SB203580. Treatment of SB203580 also reduced the induction of apoptosis in DN-hTERT-expressing U937 cells (PD25). These results suggest that p38 MAP kinase has a critical role for the induction of apoptosis in telomerase-inhibited leukemia cells. Further, we evaluated the effect of telomestatin on the growth of U937 cells in xenograft mouse model. Systemic intraperitoneal administration of telomestatin in U937 xenografts decreased tumor telomerase levels and reduced tumor volumes. Tumor tissue from telomestatin-treated animals exhibited marked apoptosis. None of the mice treated with telomestatin displayed any signs of toxicity. Taken together, these results lay the foundations for a program of drug development to achieve the dual aims of efficacy and selectivity in vivo.
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PMID:Telomerase inhibition with a novel G-quadruplex-interactive agent, telomestatin: in vitro and in vivo studies in acute leukemia. 1665 54

Cytomorphology, cytochemistry, immunophenotyping, in addition to cytogenetic and molecular analyses have specific roles in the diagnosis and management of acute leukemias. This work was designed as a comparative study of different available methods for diagnosis of acute leukemia. The study comprised 47 cases with acute leukemia (21 cases with ALL and 26 cases with AML). Peripheral blood and bone marrow samples were subjected to through morphological examination of Leishman-stained smears, cytochemical analysis, immunophenotyping, conventional cytogenetic banding analysis, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for selected cases, and RT-PCR for detection of BCR-ABL rearrangement. The results of the study revealed that careful examination of Romanowsky-stained peripheral blood and BM films is fundamental in the diagnosis of acute leukemias, and when considered together with clinical and hematological features, indicates which of the more specialized techniques are most likely to be useful. The major role of cytochemistry was in the diagnosis of AML, while the major role of immunophenotyping was in the diagnosis of acute leukemia, which is not obviously myeloid. Apart from identification of chromosomal abnormalities unique to specific subtypes of leukemia, cytogenetic analysis had a salient impact on anticipating the prognosis and treatment outcome in acute leukemias. We could conclude that the techniques used in this study are considered complementary rather than alternatives and that stepwise employment of strategies is more cost effective than doing all the tests simultaneously.
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PMID:A study for evaluation of different diagnostic approaches in acute leukemia in Egypt. 1675 47

Despite recent discoveries made in myeloproliferative disorders other than chronic myelogenous leukemia, which it is hoped will result in earlier diagnosis, and better evaluation and management of patients, hematological evolution to myelofibrosis, acute leukemia, and myelodysplastic syndromes (AL/MDS) remain major causes of long-term mortality in polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) patients. Evaluation of long-term leukemogenic risk of currently available drugs, therefore, is crucial. We report updated results of three French prospective trials of hydroxyurea and pipobroman in PV and ET patients with a median follow-up longer than 10 years. The results show that the incidence of AL/MDS is higher than previously reported with no evidence of a plateau (with approximately 40% of AL/MDS cases occurring after the 12th year of follow-up). Although hydroxyurea currently remains the first choice in the treatment of high-risk PV and ET patients, the use of nonleukemogenic drugs, such as interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) or anagrelide, should be assessed more widely in randomized trials using accurate diagnostic criteria and taking into account the presence of the JAK2 mutation, given that they may have an impact on disease evolution.
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PMID:Long-term incidence of hematological evolution in three French prospective studies of hydroxyurea and pipobroman in polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia. 1681 Jun 17

Among 460 consecutive patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) seen at our institution, 19 cases (4%) of abdominal vein thrombosis (AVT) were documented either at (n = 9) or after (n = 10) diagnosis. Women (P = 0.03) and the young (P = 0.002) were preferentially affected. Accordingly, clinical comparisons were performed among three groups of female patients: those with AVT (group A; n = 17), a control group without AVT but closely matched to group A in terms of age and year of diagnosis (group B; n = 34), and all female patients without AVT (group C; n = 288). As expected from the consequences of AVT-associated portal hypertension and anticoagulant therapy, patients in group A experienced significantly higher rates of hemorrhage, palpable splenomegaly, and anemia. Unexpectedly, however, compared with group B, group A displayed both a higher conversion rate into myelofibrosis/acute leukemia (P = 0.0008) and a shorter median survival (116 vs. 156 months; P = 0.0012). Multivariable analysis including all female patients with ET identified AVT, along with advanced age, leukocytosis, and tobacco use, as an independent risk factor for inferior survival. Groups A, B, and C did not differ in either JAK2(V617F) mutational frequency or incidence of non-abdominal thrombosis. We conclude that AVT in ET is a marker of aggressive disease biology.
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PMID:Abdominal vein thrombosis in essential thrombocythemia: prevalence, clinical correlates, and prognostic implications. 1685 28

Activation of tyrosine kinase genes is a frequent event in human hematologic malignancies. Because gene activation could be associated with gene dysregulation, we attempted to screen for activating gene mutation based on high-level gene expression. We focused our study on the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) gene in 90 cases of acute leukemia. This strategy led to the identification of a novel JAK2-acquired mutation in a patient with Down syndrome (DS) with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL). This mutation involves a 5-amino acid deletion within the JH2 pseudokinase domain (JAK2DeltaIREED). Expression of JAK2DeltaIREED in Ba/F3 cells induced constitutive activation of the JAK-STAT pathway and growth factor-independent cell proliferation. These results highlight the JAK2 pseudokinase domain as an oncogenic hot spot and indicate that activation of the JAK-STAT pathway may contribute to lymphoid malignancies and hematologic disorders observed in children with DS.
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PMID:Novel activating JAK2 mutation in a patient with Down syndrome and B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. 1706 51

Myeloproliferative disorders, including chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis (CIMF), polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), are clonal diseases of hematopoietic stem or precursor cells. They often show a protracted or chronic course; however, all have the potential of progressing to severe marrow failure, associated with myelofibrosis, or of transforming into acute leukemia. At that point, hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is the only current treatment strategy with curative potential. If transplantation is being considered and a suitable donor is available, HCT should be carried out before leukemic transformation has occurred, as the success rate of HCT declines steeply in patients who have evolved to leukemia. As many as 75-80% of patients with the original diagnoses of PV or ET, about 65-70% with CIMF, and 45% of patients with CMML are surviving long term after allogeneic HCT using conventional transplant regimens, with follow-up now extending to 15 years. Results with HLA-identical related and unrelated donors are comparable. Major risk factors for the outcome after HCT are the disease stage, the presence of comorbid conditions, and patient age. The development of reduced-intensity conditioning regimens has allowed for successful HCT even for older patients and patients with comorbid conditions. Studies on disease mechanisms, including the recent characterization of an activating mutation in JAK2, may provide additional prognostic guidance and are likely to lead to the development of novel treatment strategies, which will require continuous reassessment as to the optimum timing of HCT.
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PMID:Hematopoietic cell transplantation for chronic myeloproliferative disorders. 1712 83

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is an acquired myeloproliferative disorder (MPD) characterized by a sustained elevation of platelet number with a tendency for thrombosis and hemorrhage. The prevalence in the general population is approximately 30/100,000. The median age at diagnosis is 65 to 70 years, but the disease may occur at any age. The female to male ratio is about 2:1. The clinical picture is dominated by a predisposition to vascular occlusive events (involving the cerebrovascular, coronary and peripheral circulation) and hemorrhages. Some patients with ET are asymptomatic, others may experience vasomotor (headaches, visual disturbances, lightheadedness, atypical chest pain, distal paresthesias, erythromelalgia), thrombotic, or hemorrhagic disturbances. Arterial and venous thromboses, as well as platelet-mediated transient occlusions of the microcirculation and bleeding, represent the main risks for ET patients. Thromboses of large arteries represent a major cause of mortality associated with ET or can induce severe neurological, cardiac or peripheral artery manifestations. Acute leukemia or myelodysplasia represent only rare and frequently later-onset events. The molecular pathogenesis of ET, which leads to the overproduction of mature blood cells, is similar to that found in other clonal MPDs such as chronic myeloid leukemia, polycythemia vera and myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia of the spleen. Polycythemia vera, myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia of the spleen and ET are generally associated under the common denomination of Philadelphia (Ph)-negative MPDs. Despite the recent identification of the JAK2 V617F mutation in a subset of patients with Ph-negative MPDs, the detailed pathogenetic mechanism is still a matter of discussion. Therapeutic interventions in ET are limited to decisions concerning the introduction of anti-aggregation therapy and/or starting platelet cytoreduction. The therapeutic value of hydroxycarbamide and aspirin in high risk patients has been supported by controlled studies. Avoiding thromboreduction or opting for anagrelide to postpone the long-term side effects of hydrocarbamide in young or low risk patients represent alternative options. Life expectancy is almost normal and similar to that of a healthy population matched by age and sex.
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PMID:Essential thrombocythemia. 1721 76


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