Chronic eosinophilic leukemia
Encyclopedia
Chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL) is a disease in which too many eosinophils (a type of white blood cell
) are found in the bone marrow
, blood
, and other tissues. CEL may stay the same for many years, or it may progress quickly to acute leukemia
. It is generally caused by overactivation of the oncogene
PDGFRA
through a chromosome translocation event. Though a highly rare disease, CEL is extremely manageable with the use of Gleevec, which suppresses the oncogenic effects of PDGFRA.
White blood cell
White blood cells, or leukocytes , are cells of the immune system involved in defending the body against both infectious disease and foreign materials. Five different and diverse types of leukocytes exist, but they are all produced and derived from a multipotent cell in the bone marrow known as a...
) are found in the bone marrow
Bone marrow
Bone marrow is the flexible tissue found in the interior of bones. In humans, bone marrow in large bones produces new blood cells. On average, bone marrow constitutes 4% of the total body mass of humans; in adults weighing 65 kg , bone marrow accounts for approximately 2.6 kg...
, blood
Blood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....
, and other tissues. CEL may stay the same for many years, or it may progress quickly to acute leukemia
Acute leukemia
Acute leukemia or acute leukaemia is a generic term used to describe a family of serious medical conditions relating to an original diagnosis of leukemia...
. It is generally caused by overactivation of the oncogene
Oncogene
An oncogene is a gene that has the potential to cause cancer. In tumor cells, they are often mutated or expressed at high levels.An oncogene is a gene found in the chromosomes of tumor cells whose activation is associated with the initial and continuing conversion of normal cells into cancer...
PDGFRA
PDGFRA
Alpha-type platelet-derived growth factor receptor is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PDGFRA gene.-Interactions:PDGFRA has been shown to interact with PDGFRB, PLCG1, Sodium-hydrogen antiporter 3 regulator 1, Cbl gene, CRK, Caveolin 1 and PDGFC.-Further reading:...
through a chromosome translocation event. Though a highly rare disease, CEL is extremely manageable with the use of Gleevec, which suppresses the oncogenic effects of PDGFRA.
External links
- Chronic eosinophilic leukemia entry in the public domain NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms