The biological and clinical significance of MLL abnormalities in haematological malignancies

The MLL (Mixed Lineage Leukaemia or Myeloid/Lymphoid Leukaemia) gene on chromosome 11q23 is frequently involved in chromosomal translocations associated with human acute leukaemias. These translocations lead to fusion genes generally resulting in novel chimeric proteins containing the amino terminus of MLL fused in-frame to one of about 30 distinct partner proteins. Abnormalities involving the MLL gene are observed in leukaemias of either lymphoid or myeloid lineage derivation, as well as in poorly differentiated or biphenotypic leukaemias. They are frequently seen in infant patients, and patients with therapy-related secondary AML following treatment with inhibitors of topoisomerase II (epipodophyllotoxins). In the majority of cases, abnormalities involving the MLL gene are associated with a very poor prognostic outcome. In this review, we will discuss some of the recent advances in MLL research resulting from biological as well as clinical studies.