Acute leukemias in children with Down syndrome

Laura Seewald; Jeffrey W Taub; Kelly W Maloney; Edward R B McCabe

doi:10.1016/j.ymgme.2012.07.011

Acute leukemias in children with Down syndrome

Mol Genet Metab. 2012 Sep;107(1-2):25-30. doi: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2012.07.011. Epub 2012 Jul 20.

Authors

Laura Seewald¹, Jeffrey W Taub, Kelly W Maloney, Edward R B McCabe

Affiliation

¹ Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA. Laura.Seewald@ucdenver.edu

PMID: 22867885
DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2012.07.011

Abstract

Children with Down syndrome (DS) often present with hematopoietic abnormalities, and are at increased risk of developing leukemia. Specifically, 3-10% of newborns with DS are diagnosed with transient myeloproliferative disease, and children with DS are 500 times more likely to develop acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) and 20 times more likely to develop acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) than typical children. This review examines the characteristics of these leukemias and their development in the unique genetic background of trisomy 21. A discussion is also provided for areas of future research and potential therapeutic development.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Child
Child, Preschool
Down Syndrome / complications*
Humans
Leukemia, Megakaryoblastic, Acute / complications*
Leukemia, Megakaryoblastic, Acute / etiology
Leukemia, Megakaryoblastic, Acute / therapy
Myeloproliferative Disorders / complications*
Myeloproliferative Disorders / etiology
Myeloproliferative Disorders / therapy
Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / complications*
Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / etiology
Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / therapy