Objective: To explore the causes of MDM2 gene overexpression.
Methods: The amplification and overexpression of MDM2 gene in 41 acute leukemia patients and two leukemic cell lines (K051 and HL60) were studied by using Southern blot, dot hybridyzation and RT-PCR techniques.
Results: Overexpression of MDM2 gene was found in 51.2% (21/41) of the patients and HL60 cell line, but no amplification of the gene was found in all the patients and the two cell lines.
Conclusion: The level of MDM2 gene expression was related to the prognoses of the patients but not to FAB subtypes of acute leukemias.