High frequency and poor prognosis of late childhood BCR-ABL-positive and MLL-AF4-positive ALL define the need for advanced molecular diagnostics and improved therapeutic strategies in pediatric B-ALL in Pakistan.

Background: Fusion oncogenes (FOs) resulting from chromosomal abnormalities have an important role in leukemogenesis in pediatric B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The most common FOs are BCR-ABL, MLL-AF4, ETV6-RUNX1, and TCF3-PBX1, all of which have important prognostic and drug selection implications. Moreover, frequencies of FOs have ethnic variations.

Effect of HA14-1 on apoptosis-regulating proteins in HeLa cells.

Overexpression of Bcl-2 has been recognized in various malignancies. Recently, HA14-1, a Bcl-2 antagonist, has been identified for its anti-apoptotic effect. However, mode of action of HA14-1 still remains to be elucidated.