Antitumor effect of RNA interference on non-small- cell lung cancer in vivo

Objective： Lung cancer has emerged as a leading cause of cancer death in the world. Current therapies are ineffective, thus new approaches are needed to improve the therapeutic ratio. RNA interference （RNAi） has shown promise in gene silencing in vitro, the potential of which in developing new methods for the therapy of non-small-cell lung cancer （NSCLC） needs to be further tested in vivo. In this study, chemically synthesized double-stranded RNA （dsRNA） targeting epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR） was transfected into NSCLC cell line SPC-A1 cells and established the tumor burdened athymic nude mice model to investigate whether dsRNA could induce gene silencing in NSCLC cells in vivo. Methods： SPC-A1 was transfected with EGFR sequence-specific dsRNA formulated with Lipofectamine 2000. SPC-A1 cells （1 × 107/ mL） in 200 pL were injected s.c. into the left flank area of the mice to establish the tumor burdened athymic nude mice model. Calculate the tumor growth inhibition rate by measuring the diameter and the weight of the tumor. Immunohistochemistry and Westem blot were used to monitor the reduction in the production of the EGFR protein. Realtime RT-PCR was used to detect the silencing of the EGFR mRNA level. Results： It displayed that EGFR sequence specific dsRNA （dsRNA-EGFR） significantly inhibited the tumor growth in vivo. The tumor growth inhibition rate was 75.03%. The dsRNA-EGFR sequence specifically silenced EGFR with 53.6% of down-regulation of EGFR protein production and 32.3% of silencing of EGFR mRNA level. Conclusion： DsRNA-EGFR showed a blockbuster effect in downregulation of EGFR mRNA level and protein production, and inhibition of tumor growth in vivo.     

Comparison of photodynamic therapy for skin cancers and pre-cancers with δ-aminolevulinic acid

Objective： The aim of the study was to compare the effects of photodynamic therapy （PDT） with δ-aminolevulinic acid （ALA） for patients with different kinds of skin cancers and pre-cancers. Methods： The present study enrolled seventyfive cases, which included 17 cases of actinic keratosis （AK）, 9 cases of Bowen＇s disease, 11 cases of superficial basal cell carcinomas （BCC）, 23 cases of nodule basal cell carcinomas and 15 cases of squamous cell carcinomas （SCC）, and every patient had single lesion. All patients were treated with 20% ALA topically and He-Ne laser weekly for three times, and followed up 1-3 years. Results： After therapy, the rates of complete reaction （CR） were 100% in AK lesions, 77.8% in Bowen＇s diseases, 90.9% in superficial BCCs, 47.8% in nodule BCCs, and 50.3% in SCCs, which had significant differences among these five kinds of lesions （H = 18.27, P 〈 0.05）. The therapeutic effectiveness of ALA-PDT for AK was superior to that of Bowen＇s disease （Q = 4.364, P 〈 0.05）, superficial BCC （Q = 5.55, P 〈 0.01）, SCC （Q = 8.94, P 〈 0.01） and nodule BCC （Q = 17.91, P 〈 0.01）; the effect of Bowen＇s disease was better than that of SCC （Q = 7.8, P 〈 0.01）, nodule BCC （Q = 13.44, P 〈 0.01）; the effect of superficial BCC was better than that of SCC （Q = 9.73, P 〈 0.01）, nodule BCC （Q = 16.28, P 〈 0.01）, but similar with Bowen＇s disease （Q = 0.96, P 〉 0.05）; the effect of SCC was better than that of nodule BCC （Q = 17.74, P 〈 0.01）. Conclusion： Our study shows that therapeutic effectiveness of ALA-PDT for AK is best in five diseases, and Bowen＇s disease and superficial BCC are secondary, while nodule BCC and SCC are at the bottom.     

The predictive value of vascular endothelial growth factor and Ki-67 expression on neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer

Objective： To investigate the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） and proliferating cell nuclear antigen （Ki-67） in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma and their associations with neoadjuvant therapy. Methods： The expressions of Ki-67 and VEGF in 32 cases of rectal adenocarcinoma, including both pretreatment tumor biopsies and postoperative specimen, were detected by immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies, and were correlated with clinicopathological factors. Results： The intensity of VEGF staining was significantly correlated with lymph nodal metastasis （P =0.033）, depth of tumor invasion （P =0.007） and tumor stage （P= 0.016）, but not with histological types, tumor sizes, patients＇ ages and genders （P 〉 0.05）. Low level of VEGF expression had significant correlation with the high sensitivity of response to neoadjuvant therapy （P = 0.016）. The transient increase of VEGF expression could be seen after neoadjuvant therapy （P = 0.035）. Ki-67 labeling index （Ki-67-LI） was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis （P = 0.028）, but not correlated to tumor sizes, patients＇ ages and genders （P 〉 0.05）. Tumors with lower Ki-67-LI were more sensitive to neoadjuvant therapy （P = 0.032）. The Ki-67 level decreased after neoadjuvant therapy, but no statistical significance was found （P 〉 0.05）. Conclusion： Our results demonstrate that the expression of VEGF and Ki-67 in pretreatment rectal adenocarcinoma biopsies may be predictive of tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy.     

TGF-β may be complimentary to PSA in Chinese prostate cancer

Objective： To investigate the value of the plasma transforming growth factor β1 （TGF-β1） level in diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer （PCa）. Methods： The ELISA kits for human TGF-β1 were used to measure the TGF-β1 level in plasmas. A cohort of 295 consecutive PCa patients in recent more than two years in the First Hospital of Peking University of China was enrolled to the study. Furthermore, 55 control subjects were healthy and without evidence of PCa, who were random people that came to the hospital and were identified by prostate biopsy. Results： An age-related frequency chart indicated that 99% confidence interval of the difference with PCa was at the age of 53-85 years. The PCa patients aged 53-85 were classified into three groups according to TNM staging. Group A had Stages TO, T1 and T2. Group B had Stage T3 and Group C had Stage T4. Compared with control group, Group A had the lower level of plasma TGF-β1 （P 〈 0.05）, Group B had the higher level of plasma TGF-β1 （P 〈 0.05） and Group C had the even higher level of plasma TGF-β1 （P 〈 0.01）. According to TNM staging, Group D had Stages TO, T1 and T2 with the normal level of total PSA （tPSA）. Group E with the normal level of tPSA had metastasis after resection. Compared with control group, Group D had the lower plasma level of TGF-β1 （P 〈0.05） and Group E had higher plasma level of TGF-β1 （P 〈 0.01）. Conclusion： The plasma TGF-β1 level decreases at early stage of PCa and increases at later stage of PCa, especially at tumor metastasis after the resection. The plasma TGF-β1 level may therefore be complementary to PSA for PCa prognosis.     

Expression of BI-1 protein and its significance in breast cancer

Objective： To investigate the correlations of expression of Bax inhibitor-1 （BI-1） gene and the receptors of estrogen and progestogen in breast cancer and its significance. Methods： Immunohistochemical methods had been used to detect the expressions of BI-1 gene and receptors of estrogen and progestogen in breast cancer. Results： The positive rates of expressions of BI-1 gene, estrogen receptor （ER） and progestogen receptor （PR） in breast cancer were 77.08%, 60.42% and 54.17%, respectively. The positive rate of expression of BI-1 gene was higher in the group with negative expression of ER than the positive group, their positive rates were 76.92% and 52.27%, respectively; but there was no statistical difference between the two groups with positive and negative expressions of PR. The positive rate of expression of BI-1 gene was also higher in the group with positive lymph node metastasis than the non-lymph node metastasis group, and their positive rates were 64.58% and 36.36%, respectively. The difference was statistically significant （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： BI-1 gene, in combination with ER, has guiding significance for patients with breast cancer to choose individual chemotherapy and radiotherapy after operation and can become an important indicator for judging the prognosis of breast cancer.     

Value of MR perfusion imaging after intervention treatment of hepatic cancer

Objective： To investigate the value of MR perfusion imaging in evaluating the curative effect of intervention treatment of hepatic cancer. Methods： 36 patients underwent MR perfusion imaging after intervention treatment. The quantization results were differed between carcinoma residue and benign tissue. And the diagnosis accuracy was judged, Results： There was a significant difference in mean MSI between residue tumor after surgery and the benign enhancement area. The timeintension curve of residue tumor was observed to ascend rapidly to reach the peak, whereas that of the enhancement tissue ascended slowly to reach the peak. The sensitivity and specificity of PWl on detection of residuary or recurrent tumor were 0.89 and 0.73 respectively. Conclusion： PWl is a very sensitive imaging technique that can be used to distinguish liver tissue condition after surgery. PWI contributed to early stage diagnosis and dynamic monitoring following HCC surgery.     

Prognostic value of cancer stem cell markers CD133, ALDH1 and nuclear β-catenin in colon cancer

Objective： Colon cancer is one of the most common human malignancies. Cancer stem cells （CSCs）, despite being only a small subset of cancer cells, have the capability to self-renew and sustain the tumor. They also have the ability to proliferate. Multiple CSCs-associated markers have been identified in colon cancer including CD133, ALDH1 and β-catenin. The aim of the work was to study the prognostic value of CSCs markers （CD133, ALDH 1 and β-catenin）, as well as their rela- tionship to clinicopathological features of colon cancer. Methods： CD133, ALDH1 and β-catenin proteins expression was as- sessed immunohistochemically in a series of colon cancers and their prognostic significance was evaluated. Results： CD133 expression showed significant relationship to tumor stage and lymph node metastasis （P-value 0.004 ＆ 〈 0.001 respectively）, and near significant relationship to liver metastasis （P-value 0.092）. ALDH1 was significantly associated with tumor grade, stage and nodal metastasis （P-value 0.021,0.001 and 0.026 respectively）, but its relationship to liver metastasis was near sig- nificant （P-value 0.068）. Nuclear β-catenin was significantly related to tumor grade, stage, nodal and liver metastasis （P-value 0.001, 〈 0.001, 〈 0.001 and 0.008 respectively）. Overall survival （OS） was associated inversely with CD133, ALDH1 positivity, and directly with nuclear 13-catenin posiUvity （P-value 〈 0.001,0.0001 and 〈 0.001 respectively）. Also recurrence free survival （RFS） was associated inversely with CD133, ALDH1 and directly with nuclearβ-catenin positivity （P-value 0.0001,0.001 and 〈 0.001 respectively）. Conclusion： CD133, ALDH1 and β-catenin expressions of tumor cells have significant impact upon malignant progression of colon cancer and thus patient survival and tumor recurrence. Hence they can be used to predict outcome of colon cancer patients.     

The expressions of CD147 and MMP-9 in non-Hodgkin＇s lymphoma cells and the relation to prognosis

Objective： The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of CD147 and matrix metalioprpteinsae 9 （MMP-9） in children with non-Hodgkin＇s lymphoma （NHL） and the relations between expressions of CD147 ＆ MMP-9 and the clinical indexes. Methods： Specimens excised from NHL patients were prepared. Expression of CD147 and MMP-9 were tested by SABC immunohistochemistry and its correlation to clinical results were analyzed in this report. Results： The positive rate of CD147 expression was 73% （45/62）, and that of MMP-9 expression was 81% （50/62）. There was a positive correlation between CD147 and MMP-9 expressions. CD147 expression intensity was linked to clinical myelo-infiltration, tumor size, LDH value, and clinical staging （P 〈 0.05）, rather than children age, gender, or immune typing （P 〉 0.05）; MMP-9 expression intensity was linked to myelo-infiltration, and clinical staging （P 〈 0.05）, rather than age, gender, immune typing, tumor size, or LDH value （P 〉 0.05）. Five-year survival rates were 78% （22/28） and 45% （15/34） in CD147 （-）-（＋） and （＋＋）-（＋＋＋） cases respectively, and those were 84% （21/25） and 43% （16/37） in MMP-9 （-）-（＋） and （＋＋）-（＋＋＋） cases respectively, the difference was significant. Conclusion： The elevated expression of CD147 and/or MMP-9 correlates with a poor clinical outcome in patients with NHL.     

Small hairpin RNA against Bcl-2 increases MTX-induced apoptosis in Raji cells

Objective： The aim of this study was to study the effect of Bcl-2 small hairpin RNA （shRNA） enhancing methotrexate （MTX）-induced apoptosis of Raji cells. Methods： Expression plasmid with Bcl-2 shRNAwas transfected into Raji cells by Lipofectmine 2000 and then treated with MTX. At 48 h of transfection, the expression level of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein was evaluated by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence. MTT assay was used to analyze cell proliferation at 24, 48 and 72 h. Apoptosis was detected by Giemsa staining and flow cytometric cell cycle analysis. Results： After transfection with Bcl-2 shRNA, the expression levels of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein in Raji cells decreased （P 〈 0.05）. Using Giemsa staining, cells transfected with Bcl-2 shRNA combined with MTX at 48 h displayed changes of apoptosis. MTX significantly inhibited the growth of cells after transfected with Bcl-2 shRNA （P 〈 0.05）. Apoptotic rates of the Raji cells treated with Bcl-2 shRNA combined with MTX significantly increased （P 〈 0.05）, compared with either control shRNA/MTX combination or MTX-treatment cells alone. Conclusion： Our results suggest the shRNA against Bcl-2 mRNA could increase MTX-induced apoptosis of Raji cells.     

Diagnostic value of bile CEA assay for the detection of liver metastasis from colorectal cancer

Objective： We measured CEA （carcinoembryonic antigen） levels in both serum and bile from patients with coloroctal cancer （CRC） to evaluate the relationship between bile CEA levels and liver metastasis （LM）. Methods： Throe groups were enrolled in our study. Primary CRC group： 27 patients with CRC but without LM; LM group： 14 patients with LM from CRC; Controlled group： 20 patients with benign biliary diseases （cholelithiasis or cholecystitis）. Both serum and bile were collected to measure CEA levels in all groups but only bile CEA was measured in controlled group. Results： Bile CEA level in LM group was significantly higher than that of the primary CRC group （314.27 and 13.07 ng/mL respectively; P 〈 0.05）. In LM group bile CEA level was significantly higher than serum CEA level （314.27 and 43.51 ng/mL respectively; P 〈 0.05）. Bile CEA level was more relevant to the number and size of LM than the primary tumor factors. Conclusion： In confirmed CRC liver metastasis, the bile CEA level is significantly elevated. Bile CEA assay may be of potential value in diagnosis of liver metastasis,especially for the occult LM.     

Inhibitory effect of metformin on the proliferation of human hepatoma HepG2 cells and its potential mechanism

Objective： This work aimed to study the inhibitory effect and the related mechanism of metformin （MET） on the proliferation of human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Methods： Human hepatoma HepG2 cells were treated with MET （0, 2, 10, and 50 mM）. The inhibitory effect of MET on the proliferation of HepG2 cells was determined by MTT method. The apoptosis of HepG2 cells was detected by flow cytornetry. The expression of cyclin D1 in HepG2 cells was examined by Western blot. ROS-DHE fluorescence probe was used to stain the reactive oxygen species （ROS） generated by HepG2 cells after treat- ment. Results： MET could inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose and time dependent manner. MET promoted the apoptosis of HepG2 cells. In addition, MET suppressed the expression of cell cycle protein cyclin D1 and induced the produc- tion of ROS in HepG2 cells. Conclusion： MET can inhibit the proliferation of human hepatoma HepG2 cells and induce cell apoptosis. Meanwhile, MET has the ability to decrease the expression of cyclin D1 and induce ROS generation, which may be involved in the mechanism of inhibiting hepatoma cells proliferation.     

The influence of down-regulation of ACP1 by RNAi on the metastasis capability of osteosarcoma cell line MG-63

Objective： The aim of this study was to study the inhibition effect of small interfering RNAs （siRNA） on gene expression in MG-63 cells,and to study the inhibitory effect on metastasis of MG-63. Methods： A plasmid of a short hairpin RNA targeting acid phosphatase 1 （ACP1） was constructed and transfected into MG-63 cell line. ACP1 expression of MG-63 cells before and after transfection was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. The capacity of adhesion, migration and inva- sion was examined by adhesion assay, migration assay and transwell assay. Results： The recombinant plasmid pGenesil-l/ ACPI-shRNA was successfully constructed, shRNA efficiently inhibited the expression of ACPI by gene and protein level and suppressed cell migration. The adhesion decreased from 96.41±8.83 to 43.38 ± 6.03 （P 〈 0.01）, invasion ability from 56.5 ± 4.8 to 36.3 ± 6.1 （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： Down-regulating ACP1 by shRNA reduced the capacity of metastasis of MG-63 cell,which providing a novo-approach to biotherapy of cancer.     

The relationship between nNOS and Cyt-c in mitochondria of glioma

Objective： The aim of this study was to investigate the association between neuronal nitric oxide synthase （nNOS） and the expression level of Cytochrome C （Cyt-c） in mitochondria. Methods： The pathological diagnosis of glioma and tumor classification was by HE staining, and we use immunohistochemistry method to analyse the level of nNOS in different pathological grade glioma and the expression level of Cyt-c in mitochondria meanwhile. Results： The levels of nNOS were highest in grade Ⅲ tumors, moderate in grade Ⅱ tumors, and lowest different in grade I tumors. There was significant difference of the nNOS levels among different pathological grade tumors （P 〈 0.05）. Furthermore, the similar phenomenon was observed in the expression level of Cyt-c in mitochondria （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： The expression level of nNOS and Cyt-c in mitochondria was significantly related to the pathological grade of glioma.     

Clinical research on treatment of advanced androgen independent prostate cancer with Docetaxel and Thalidomide

Objective： To evaluate the clinical effects and adverse reactions of Docetaxel and Thalidomide in treating advanced androgen independent prostate cancer （AIPC）. Methods： 12 cases of advanced AIPC were given a combined treatment of Docetaxel and Thalidomide, with Docetaxel 75 mg/m^2 on day 1 and Thalidomide 100 mg per day as initial dose and 300 mg as terminal dose by an increase of 50 mg every week. Results： The post-treatment values of prostate specific antigen （PSA） were normal （〈 4 ng/L） in 10 patients, less than 50% of pretreatment value in one patient, and no significant change in one patient. The median survival time was 14 months and period of the median symptoms reduction was 16.3 months. Common adverse reactions were tolerable, including nausea, vomiting, leukopenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia. Conclusion： The regimen of Docetaxel combined with Thalidomide was effective and tolerable in the treatment of advanced AIPC.     

The expressions and significance of Hpa and bFGF in oral squamous-cell carcinoma

Objective： To investigate the expressions of heparanase （Hpa） and basic fibroblast growth factor （bFGF） in oral squamous-cell carcinoma （OSCC）, and to evaluate the relationship between the expressions and tumor angiogenesis and progression. Methods： The expressions of Hpa mRNA and bFGF mRNA of OSCC were examined using in situ hybridization. The microvascular density （MVD） was assessed through immunohistochemistry staining. Results： The expressions of Hpa mRNA and bFGF mRNA were associated with tumor MVD and lymph node metastasis. Concomitant expression of Hpa mRNA and bFGF mRNA was associated with higher tumor MVD as compared with expression of either factor alone. Conclusion： Hpa and bFGF might contribute to the angiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in OSCC and they cooperate in promoting vascularization.     

Improvements of quality of life in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with gefitinib

Objective： The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of gefitinib on improvement of quality of life （QoL） of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC）. Methods： There were 70 patients with advanced NSCLC. One oral gefitinib tablet （250 mg） was administered every day without interruption unless disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred. The impact of treatment on disease-related symptoms and QoL was evaluated with the Chinese versions of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires （EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ- LC13）. Results： Fifty-eight patients had finished the questionnaires. The mean scores of five functioning scales （physical, role, emotional, cognitional and social） were 62.64, 56.03, 68.41, 64.67, 60.63 respectively after eight weeks of treatment, which were 52.30, 49.43, 64.39, 59.79, 52.30 respectively before treatment, and the mean score of global QoL after and before treatment was 60.17 and 52.70 respectively. There was statistical difference in five functioning scales and global QoL （P 〈 0.05）. Mean scores of main general symptoms （fatigue and appetite loss） were 57.66 and 48.08 respectively after eight weeks of treatment, which were 61.11 and 51.72 respectively before treatment, and mean scores of disease-related symptoms （dyspnoea, coughing, empsyxis, pain in chest）were 48.66, 47.13, 26.82, 24.71 respectively after eight weeks of treatment, which were 54.98, 53.64, 27.78, 28.54 respectively before treatment. There was statistical difference in fatigue, dyspnoea, cough and pain in chest （P 〈 0.05）. Response rate of five functioning and global QoL were all more than 50% after gefitinib treatment. Response rate of main general symptoms and disease-related symptoms were all more than 40%. QoL and symptom response correlated with disease control. The patients with better QoL had longer survival. Conclusion： gefitinib treatment can improve the QoL and symptoms of advanced NSCLC patient     

Study of MR image for involvement of paranasal sinuses in 56 cases with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Objective： The aim of the study was to study the nuclear magnetic resonance image （MRI） feature for involvement of paranasal sinuses in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma （NPC）. Methods： The MRI of 56 patients with NPC and paranasal sinuses infringed were evaluated between December 2003 and August 2004. Results： Among them, 56 （100%） showed breakage in the wall of paranasal sinuses, 29 （51.8%） had thick mucous membrane in sinuses, 36 （64.3%） showed tumour invasion sinuses, 55 （98.2%） connected with primary carcinoma with the lesion, and 14 （25%） stored up fluid in si- nuses. On MRI scan technique, the positive ratios of diagnoses were 66.1%, 76.8%, and 98.2% respectively （P 〈 0.000） in the horizontal section, coronal section and sagittal section. And nearly 60% was in the TlWl and T2Wl, but 100% in strengthen scan. Conclusion： The findings of sinuses wall breakage, thick mucous membrane in sinuses, tumour invasion cavity connective mass, and same enhancement signal in MR image may indicate the paranasal sinuses involved by primary turnout. The sagittal section and enhanced MRI scans are helpful to diagnosis.     

Expressions and their significance of PTTG and PC proteins in glioma

Objective： To investigate the expressions and their relationship of pituitary tumor transforming gene （PTTG） and proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） in glioma. Methods： The protein expressions of PTTG and PCNA were detected by immunostaining assay using streptavidin-peroxidase （SP） method in 80 cases of glioma. Results： The positive rates of PTTG in grades Ⅰ-Ⅳ gliomas were 56.3%, 68.2%, 80.8%, and 100.0% respectively, and the protein expression of PTTG increased with the increasing of the pathological grade （X^2= 9.602, P 〈 0.05）; The positive rates of PCNA protein were 37.5%, 54.5%, 69.2%, and 93.8% respectively, and the protein expression of PCNA increased with the increasing of the pathological grade （X2 = 12.147, P 〈 0.01）. The expression of PTTG had positive correlation with the expression of PCNA protein （~s = 0.557, P 〈 0.01）. Conclusion： The expressions of PTTG and PCNA proteins were related to malignant degree of glioma, and may cooperate with each other in the tumorigenesis and progression and can be considered as the indicators of the biological behaviors in glioma.     

Detection of FLT3/ITD gene mutations in patients with hematologic malignancy and their clinical significance

Objective： To analyze Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 （FLT3）/internal-tandem duplications （ITD） mutations in various kinds of hematologic malignancy patients. Methods： FLT3/ITD gene mutations were detected by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） in 103 acute myeloid leukemia （AML） cases, 63 acute lymphocytic leukemia （ALL） cases, 53 chronic myelogenous leukemia （CML） cases in chronic phase （CML-CP）, 34 CML cases in blast crisis （CML-BC）, 11 chronic lymphatic leukemia （CLL） cases, 36 myelodysplastic syndrome （MDS） cases, 9 multiple myeloma （MM） cases and 13 non-hodgkin＇s lymphoma （NHL） cases with marrow infiltration. Results： The expressions of FLT3/ITD gene mutations were detected in 22.3% AML cases, in 6.5% CML-BC cases, in 5.6% MDS cases and in 2.6% ALL cases. The two ALL cases with FLT3/ITD mutation were diagnosed as ALL-L2 with morphology and both with myeloid antigen expression, but finally were diagnosed as acute mixed-lineage leukemia after immunology examination. FLT3/ITD gene mutations were not detected in CML-CP, MM, NHL and CLL cases. In the 23 AML patients with FLT3/ITD gene mutation, including 2 of 8 M1 （2.5%）, 8 of 33 M2 （24.2%）, 7 of 24 M3 （29.3%）, 2 of 11 M4 （18.2%）, 3 of 21 M5 （14.3%）, 1 of 5 M6 （20%）, and 0 of 1 M7 cases, and there were no significant differences in the positive rates of FLT3/ITD mutations between the FAB subtypes （P 〉 0.05）. Statistical analyses showed that in AML patients, FLT3/ITD was associated with a higher peripheral blood white cell （WBC） counts [（41.23 ± 32.56） x 109/L vs （11.36 ± 9.89） × 10^9/L （P 〈 0.01 ）], higher percentage of bone marrow blast cells [（72.78 ± 21.79）% vs （51.26 ± 20.78）% （P 〈 0.05）], and higher cumulative relapse rates （63.6% vs 27.7%, P 〈 0.025） than those negative. Conclusion： FLT3/ITD gene mutation mainly occurred in AML patients, and might be a strong prognostic factor which was associated with high peripheral WBC counts, bone m