Text Box: BCL-2 GENE EXPRESSION AND ITS CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE IN CHILDHOOD ACUTE LEUKEMIA HE L1, Guo CJ 1, Ou FR1, Zhang NN2 1Department of Pediatric, First Clinical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China 2Hospital of Beijing Feb. 7th Rolling Stock Works, Beijing, China Objective: To investigate Bcl-2 gene expression and its clinical significance in childhood acute leukemia. Methods: Bcl-2 gene transcripts were detected by reverse transcription polymerase Chain reaction (RT-PCR). Result: There was a large inter-patient variation in Bcl-2 levels. Bcl-2 levels at newly diagnosed (0-1.121) were higher than in normal control (0-1.054, p<0.05). Bcl-2 levels at relapse (0.822-1.142) were higher than in normal control (0-1.054, p<0.01). Bcl-2 levels at relapse were much higher than at newly diagnosed (p<0.01). Bcl-2 levels at relapse were much higher than on complete remission (0-0.945, p<0.01). Levels of Bcl-2 were not significantly related to the presenting leukocyte count, age, sex, immunophenotype, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy. Conclusion: Bcl-2 levels at newly diagnosed and at relapse was higher than in normal control. Bcl-2 levels at relapse were much higher than at newly diagnosed and on complete remission. Detection of Bcl-2 expression would give information about the origin of leukemia and be an important prognostic feature. 1082