Gene Expression in Samples From Patients With T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Signaling in Tumorigenesis and Immunity

RATIONALE: Studying samples of blood and tissue from patients with cancer in the laboratory may help doctors identify and learn more about biomarkers related to cancer. It may also help doctors find better ways to treat cancer.

PURPOSE: This research trial studies gene expression in samples from patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

OBJECTIVES:

• To test whether the tumor suppressor candidate gene PDLIM2 is downregulated in human cancers such as T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and to use the human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1)-mediated in vitro transformation of human T cells as control.

OUTLINE: Previously collected cancer and control tissues are analyzed for the expression patterns of PDLIM2 and other control genes. Human T-cells isolated from human blood are also co-cultured with HTLV-1-transformed T-cell lines.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Specimens (e.g., tissue, blood, and bodily fluids) of various cancer cells and or tissues from de-identified patients such as T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL)
• Normal control tissue

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Not specified

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• Not specified