Here, we show that PP2A inactivation is a recurrent event in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and that restoration of PP2A phosphatase activity by treatment with forskolin in AML cells blocks proliferation, induces caspase-dependent apoptosis and affects AKT and ERK1/2 activity. Moreover, treatment with forskolin had an additive effect with Idarubicin and Ara-c, drugs used in standard induction therapy in AML patients. Analysis at protein level of the PP2A activation status in a series of patients with AML at diagnosis showed

PP2A hyperphosphorylation in 78% of cases (29/37). In addition, we found that either deregulated expression of the endogenous PP2A inhibitors SET or CIP2A, overexpression of SETBP1, or downregulation PF-03084014 supplier of some PP2A subunits, might be contributing to PP2A inhibition in AML. In conclusion, our results show that PP2A inhibition is a common event in AML cells and that PP2A activators, such as forskolin or FTY720, could represent potential novel therapeutic targets in AML. Leukemia (2011) 25, 606-614;

doi:10.1038/leu.2010.294; published online 14 January 2011″
“We assessed the prognostic impact of occult bone marrow involvement, determined by flow cytometry and/or polymerase chain reaction, in a population of 117 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP). Twenty-four (20.5%) FK228 in vitro had morphologically diagnosed and 16 (13.7%) had occult marrow involvement, and 77

(65.8%) had no marrow involvement. Although the pretreatment characteristics of the negative or occult marrow involvement group were similar, severe hematological toxicity after R-CHOP was more frequent in the occult marrow involvement group. Progression-free survival (PFS; p = 0.015) and overall survival (OS; p = 0.035) for the occult marrow involvement group were significantly shorter than those for the negative group, and were comparable to those of the morphologic marrow involvement OSI-744 group, independent of the International Prognostic Index score for PFS. Occult bone marrow involvement predicts severe hematological toxicity and negatively impacts on the PFS and OS of R-CHOP therapy.”
“Background: Branchio-Oculo-Facial syndrome (BOFS) is a rare, autosomal dominant developmental disorder that has a distinct phenotype with characteristic craniofacial abnormalities. We report a family with extensive ocular manifestations of BOFS caused by a novel mutation in the transcription factor AP-2 alpha (TFAP2A) gene.\n\nMaterials and methods: Case report of phenotypic and genotypic characterization of a family with BOFS.\n\nResults: An infant presenting with anophththalmia/coloboma and subtle craniofacial symptoms was found to have a family history of congenital cataracts and colobomas in her mother.