JAK2 in Ph-like B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

The Janus Kinase 2 gene (JAK2) provides instructions for generating a protein that promotes the division and growth, or what is referred to as the proliferation, of cells. This generated protein relays signals in cells in order to promote cell growth, as well as help manage the count of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets that are generated within the bone marrow. Mutations and rearrangements of JAK2 are found in 3.

Molecular Cytogenetic Characterization of a Structural Abnormal Chromosome 16 in a Patient with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Leading to Inversion Chromosome 16 with Concomitant 3'CBFB Deletion.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) presents as a heterogeneous blood cancer characterized by the proliferation of immature myeloid cells. We present the case of an 18-year-old female with AML whose symptoms include marked leukocytosis, anemia, as well as thrombocytopenia with spontaneous cerebellar and intracerebral bleeds. The bone marrow biopsy is hypercellular and is expunged by sheets of blast cells with dispersed chromatin, prominent nucleoli, highly irregular nuclei, and moderate cytoplasm.

c-MYC Amplification in AML.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clonal disorder of myeloid lineage precursors. Identification of cytogenetic aberrations is essential for classification and risk stratification of AML, with many demonstrating unique associations with various clinicopathologic features. One such abnormality is MYC amplification, a rare occurrence identified in less than 1% of AML patients.

ASXL1 Gene in AML.

The ASXL1 (additional sex combs like 1) gene on 20q11 codifies the ASXL1 protein that belongs to protein complexes that play a role in gene expression and epigenetic regulation. ASXL1 is located near the DNMT3B gene and is part of a family of three genes (ASXL1, ASXL2, ASXL3) that are homologues to the Drosophila Asx gene. The ASXL1 gene contains a total of 14 exons and is expressed in the vast majority of hematopoietic cell types.

A t(9;11)(p22;q23) Within the Context of a Complex Karyotype is Associated with a Poor Prognosis in a 19-Year-Old Patient with AML.

A 19-year-old male with a history of irritable bowel syndrome presented with progressive fatigue, periorbital petechiae, and abdominal pain for 2-3 weeks. The peripheral blood smear showed leukocytosis and circulating blasts. Elevated PT, PTT, and FDP with normal fibrinogen were found in the DIC panel workup.

FLT3 Gene Involvement in B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL).

The FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 gene (FLT3) is a receptor tyrosine kinase expressed in early hematopoietic progenitors that play an important role in hematopoietic development. The signaling pathways that are stimulated by the FLT3 protein manage several crucial cellular processes including division, growth, and survival of cells, specifically of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Activating mutations of this gene have been highly discussed in myeloid malignancies, including myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).