DNA Analysis of Tissue From Patients With T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Molecular Mechanisms of NOTCH Induced Transformation in T-ALL

RATIONALE: Studying samples of tissue from patients with cancer in the laboratory may help doctors learn more about changes that occur in DNA and identify biomarkers related to cancer.

PURPOSE: This laboratory study is looking at tissue samples from patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

OBJECTIVES:

• Identify the transcriptional signatures associated with the presence of NOTCH1 mutations in primary T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cells using oligonucleotide microarrays.
• Characterize the global changes on gene expression resulting from the inactivation of NOTCH signaling in human T-ALL lymphoblasts.

OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study.

Frozen lymphoblast samples from patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (NOTCH1-mutated and wild type) are assessed for genetic expression profiles and mutations by microarray analysis and activated NOTCH1 protein by western blot analysis.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 48 samples from patients will be accrued for this study.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Confirmed diagnosis of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

• Frozen lymphoblast samples available

  • NOTCH1-mutated or wild type sample available

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Not specified

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• Not specified

Exclusion Criteria:

• Not applicable