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CDKN2A , CDKN2B , and MTAP gene dosage permits precise characterization of mono‐ and bi‐allelic 9p21 deletions in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Author(s) -
Bertin Raphaëlle,
Acquaviva Cécile,
Mirebeau Delphine,
GuidalGiroux Christine,
Vilmer Etienne,
Cavé Hélène
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
genes, chromosomes and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.754
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1098-2264
pISSN - 1045-2257
DOI - 10.1002/gcc.10188
Subject(s) - cdkn2b , cdkn2a , biology , loss of heterozygosity , gene dosage , allele , gene , genetics , exon , cancer research , microbiology and biotechnology , gene expression
Deletion of the 9p21 chromosomal region is frequently found in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The target of these deletions is CDKN2A , a gene encoding both p16 INK4a and p14 ARF . However, contiguous genes such as CDKN2B , encoding p15 INK4b , or MTAP , encoding methylthioadenosine phosphorylase, can be included in the deletions. Gene dosage by use of real‐time PCR has recently been proposed as a promising technical option for the diagnosis of deletions. However, its reliability and its capacity to detect mono‐allelic deletions in tumor samples are controversial. To evaluate the frequency and extent of deletions in 284 children with ALL, we devised a real‐time PCR assay for CDKN2A , CDKN2B exons 1β and 3, and MTAP gene dosage and validated it by comparison with loss‐of‐heterozygosity analysis. We show that, if several controls and adjustments are performed, real‐time PCR can provide a reliable test for mono‐ and bi‐allelic deletions in ALL. We propose a strategy that overcomes the major caveats of such a dosage in tumor samples: aneuploidy and contamination by normal cells. By use of this assay, we found bi‐allelic deletions in 58 and 17% of T‐ and B‐lineage ALL, respectively. Mono‐allelic deletion was observed in about 15% of cases, stressing the importance of their detection in ALL. CDKN2B and/or MTAP co‐deletions were highly variable in both T‐ and B‐lineage ALL, making ALL with 9p21 a rather heterogeneous group. Because proteins encoded by these genes might influence the response to treatment, the prognosis of 9p21‐deleted ALL could vary according to the extent of the deletion. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.