Unravelling the Role of KCTD Protein Family in the Clinical Management of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemias

Unravelling the Role of KCTD Protein Family in the Clinical Management of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemias

A transcriptomic analysis of bone marrow from B-ALL patients was performed by our research group for identifying novel protein/factor with a putative role of disease biomarker. Along with some already known B-ALL biomarkers, our analysis highlighted deregulation of some members of an emerging protein class denoted as KCTD (Potassium ChannelTetramerization Domain-containing proteins). Starting from our preliminary observations, and considering that KCTDs havenever been studied in ALL, we decided to study these proteins in B- and T-ALL affected pediatric patients, enrolled by our research group in collaboration with AORN Santobono-Pausilipon pediatric oncological hospital.Indeed, the present research program aims at opening a new scenario for the study of KCTD proteins in childhood leukemias. The final goal of the project will be to evaluate the translational relevance of selected deregulated KCTDs as novel biomarkers useful for B-ALL and T-ALL diagnostics, and patient management.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients aged 1-18 years of both sexes diagnosed with B- ALL and T-ALL;
• Patients who will have signed the informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who refuse to participate in the study;
• Patients who do not fall within the age range mentioned above