Precursor B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia is a form of lymphoid leukemia in which too many B-cell lymphoblasts (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 th ...

and

bone marrow Bone marrow is a semi-solid tissue found within the spongy (also known as cancellous) portions of bones. In birds and mammals, bone marrow is the primary site of new blood cell production (or haematopoiesis). It is composed of hematopoieti ...

. 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 leukemia
entry in the public domain NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms Acute lymphocytic leukemia {{blood-disease-stub