Precursor B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia is a form of
lymphoid leukemia
Lymphoid leukemias are a group of leukemias affecting circulating lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. The lymphocytic leukemias are closely related to lymphomas of the lymphocytes, to the point that some of them are unitary disease entities t ...
in which too many
B-cell lymphoblasts
__NOTOC__
A lymphoblast is a modified naive lymphocyte with altered cell morphology. It occurs when the lymphocyte is activated by an antigen (from antigen-presenting cells) and increased in volume by nucleus and cytoplasm growth as well as new mRN ...
(immature
white blood cells
White blood cells, also called leukocytes or leucocytes, are the cells of the immune system that are involved in protecting the body against both infectious disease and foreign invaders. All white blood cells are produced and derived from mult ...
) are found in the
blood
Blood is a body fluid in the circulatory system of humans and other vertebrates that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells, and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells. Blood in the cir ...
and
bone marrow. It is the most common type of
acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It is sometimes additionally classified as a lymphoma, as designated ''leukemia/lymphoma''.
Subtypes
It consists of the following subtypes:
* t(9;22)-BCR/ ABL
* t(v;11q23)-MLL rearrangement
* t(1;19)-E2A/PBX1
* t(12;21)-ETV/ CBFα
t(17;19)-E2A-HLF
Molecular Mechanisms
One interesting model of precursor B ALL shows aberrant function of a single gene, namely Pax5, as capable to change phenotype of B cells toward precursor cells.
Diagnosis
t(12;21)-ETV/ CBFα has a better prognosis as compared to other subtypes.
Treatment
References
External links
Precursor B-lymphoblastic leukemiaentry in the public domain NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
Acute lymphocytic leukemia
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