Is human T-cell leukemia RNA or DNA?
Human T lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a complex leukemogenic retrovirus with a single stranded positive sense RNA genome that expresses unique proteins with oncogenic potential.
HTLVs are enveloped viruses with a diameter of approximately 80–100 nm. The HTLV virions contain two covalently bound genomic RNA strands, which are complexed with the viral enzymes reverse transcriptase (RT; with associated RNAse H activity), integrase and protease, and the capsid proteins.
Key facts. The human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 is also known by the acronym HTLV-1, or as human T-cell leukaemia virus type 1. The virus can cause a type of cancer called adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATL). HTLV-1 is transmitted primarily through infected bodily fluids including blood, breast milk and semen.
Human T Cell lymphotropic viruses (HTLV) are a family of retroviruses. Currently, four types of this virus have been identified which are known to infect humans with a pathological consequence: HTLV-1, HTLV-2, HTLV-3, and HTLV-4.
DNA is a double-stranded molecule that has a long chain of nucleotides. RNA is a single-stranded molecule which has a shorter chain of nucleotides. DNA replicates on its own, it is self-replicating. RNA does not replicate on its own.
In general, leukemia occasionally can be caused by a genetic mutation or change. These may be genetic mutations passed from generation to generation within a family or from environmental factors, such as smoking or exposure to chemicals or radiation. However, most often the cause of leukemia is not known.
The HTLV viruses, which are single-stranded RNA viruses that contain a diploid genome, replicate through a DNA intermediary that integrates into the genome of the target T cell as a provirus, thereby resulting in lifelong infection.
Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a tumorigenic delta retrovirus and the causative infectious agent of a non-Hodgkin's peripheral T-cell malignancy called adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL).
In the Americas, HTLV-1 has more than one origin, being brought by immigrants in the Paleolithic period through the Bering Strait, through slave trade during the colonial period, and through Japanese immigration from the early 20th century, whereas HTLV-2 was only brought by immigrants through the Bering Strait.
Adult T- cell leukemia (ATL) is a rare and aggressive peripheral T-cell neoplasm associated with human T-cell leukemia virus type -1 (HTLV-1) infection. It is classified into four different clinical variants that are acute, lymphomatous, chronic, and smoldering.
What is the difference between T-cell leukemia and T-cell lymphoma?
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) are considered the same disease, differing by the extent of bone marrow infiltration.
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) is a specific type of leukaemia. It is a variant of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), with features similar to some types of lymphoma.

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL).
Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph system. The acute and the adult T-cell lymphoma subtypes grow quickly. ATLL is caused by a retrovirus called the human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV1).
Among the most common chromosomal abnormalities observed by conventional cytogenetics, those associated with T-ALL are chromosome 14 alterations in which the breakpoint is located at 14q11. 2. By conventional cytogenetics, this abnormality represents about 17% of all T-ALL cases (Table 1).
How many people are diagnosed with T-cell leukemia? In 2023, an estimated 18,740 people (12,130 males and 6,610 females) in the United States will be diagnosed with a main type of leukemia called chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
Due to its deoxyribose sugar, which contains one less oxygen-containing hydroxyl group, DNA is a more stable molecule than RNA, which is useful for a molecule which has the task of keeping genetic information safe.
Non-T and T lymphocytes have different mean quantities of RNA per cell, and these classes exhibit different distributions of RNA content. Non-T cells have a unimodal distribution with a sharp peak and exponential distribution towards higher RNA values. T cells have a bimodal distribution with two separate peaks.
Since DNA has two strands, it has more phosphate groups attached to it, thus it carries more negative charges than RNA. RNA has one strand and, thus, less negative charges.
The outlook for an individual with T-ALL is generally good. Children have an overall survival rate of more than 85% after 5 years, although this figure is less than 50% in adults. One reason for this could be that children may handle high levels of chemotherapy more effectively than adults.
Adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATL or ATLL) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that affects about 1 in 20 people who have a virus called 'human T-lymphotropic virus type 1' (HTLV-1).
How serious is T-cell leukemia?
T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is an extremely rare and typically aggressive malignancy (cancer) that is characterized by the out of control growth of mature T-cells (T-lymphocytes). T-cells are a type of white blood cell that protects the body from infections.
A type of virus that infects T cells (a type of white blood cell) and can cause leukemia and lymphoma. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 is spread by sharing syringes or needles, through blood transfusions or sexual contact, and from mother to child during birth or breast-feeding.
The SARS-CoV is a novel coronavirus with a large ( approximately 30 thousand nucleotides) positive-sense, single-stranded RNA containing 14 functional open reading frames (ORFs) of which 2 large ORFs constitute the replicase gene which encodes proteins required for viral RNA syntheses.
The viral RNA may be single-stranded (ss) or double-stranded (ds), and the genome may occupy a single RNA segment or be distributed on two or more separate segments (segmented genomes).
Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma
Mycosis fungoides, which appears as skin patches, plaques, or tumors, is the most common type of CTCL.
The most common type is mycosis fungoides. Sezary syndrome is a less common type that causes skin redness over the entire body. Some types of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, such as mycosis fungoides, progress slowly and others are more aggressive.
Ways in Which T-Cells Are Affected by Cancer
Bone marrow takeover: Lymphomas and other cancers which spread to the bone marrow crowd out healthy stem cells in the bone marrow (precursors of T-cells) resulting in the depletion of T-cells.
In the United States, the overall prevalence of HTLV infection is 22 per 100,000 population, with HTLV-2 more common than HTLV-1. Data collection performed from 2000-2009 among US blood donors has shown a general decline since the 1990s.
A positive HTLV-I/II molecular test indicates that the person tested has an HTLV-I or HTLV-II infection. If the molecular result is negative, then the person is less likely to be infected, but it cannot be ruled out as the amount of virus in the blood may have been too low to detect at the time of the test.
The HTLV-1 virus infects CD4+ T lymphocytes, and can modify the cell function. CD4+ T lymphocytes are the central acquired immune response regulators. Changes in their behavior can trigger inflammatory reactions that can break immune system tolerance, leading to autoimmunity.
How treatable is T-cell leukemia?
ATL is often aggressive and difficult to treat. Those with a slow-growing subtype, such as smoldering ATL, usually have a better prognosis. The treatment may involve chemotherapy, antiviral drugs, or stem cell transplantation.
The major T cells are CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, and T regulatory cells (i.e., suppressor T cells).
Common first-line (initial) chemotherapies used to treat ATLL are the same as those used to treat other types of T-cell lymphomas. These include: CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) CHOEP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, etoposide and prednisone)
Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a rare and often aggressive (fast-growing) T-cell lymphoma that can be found in the blood (leukemia), lymph nodes (lymphoma), skin, or multiple areas of the body.
CAR T-cell therapy is a promising treatment for patients with many types of blood cancer, including leukemia. It is a highly-specialized therapy that involves genetically modifying a patient's own T cells to attack their cancer.
Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma is a form of cancer that causes immune system dysfunction that leads to skin health concerns. Like other forms of cancer, Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma can be deadly, especially if the condition goes untreated until it reaches the advanced stages.
The diagnosis of T-cell leukemia begins with a blood test called a complete blood count (CBC). A CBC measures the numbers of different types of cells in the blood. If the blood contains many white blood cells, T-cell leukemia may be suspected.
Among the most common chromosomal abnormalities observed by conventional cytogenetics, those associated with T-ALL are chromosome 14 alterations in which the breakpoint is located at 14q11. 2. By conventional cytogenetics, this abnormality represents about 17% of all T-ALL cases (Table 1).
T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is an extremely rare and typically aggressive malignancy (cancer) that is characterized by the out of control growth of mature T-cells (T-lymphocytes). T-cells are a type of white blood cell that protects the body from infections.
Adult T cell leukemia is primarily caused by HTLV-1 infection that is transmitted through breastfeeding, sexual contact, and blood transfusion. Although most of the individuals who carry HTLV-1 infection remain asymptomatic, they are at an increased lifetime risk for developing ATL.
Is T-cell leukemia the same as T-cell lymphoma?
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) are considered the same disease, differing by the extent of bone marrow infiltration.
Regulatory T Cells
The defining markers are FOXP3 and IL2RA (CD25). Other notably expressed proteins include STAT5A, CTLA4, and the cytokines IL-10 and TGF beta.
Yes. DNA is encased in the nucleus of cells, and T cells have nuclei.
Ribonucleic acid (abbreviated RNA) is a nucleic acid present in all living cells that has structural similarities to DNA. Unlike DNA, however, RNA is most often single-stranded. An RNA molecule has a backbone made of alternating phosphate groups and the sugar ribose, rather than the deoxyribose found in DNA.
All the self-reproducing cellular organisms so far examined have DNA as the genome. However, a DNA-less organism carrying an RNA genome is suggested by the fact that many RNA viruses exist and the widespread view that an RNA world existed before the present DNA world.
What is the survival rate for T-cell leukemia? Due to the rarity of T-cell leukemia, specific survival rates are not available. It is estimated that 4,490 deaths (2,830 males and 1,660 females) from CLL will occur in the United States in 2023. Doctors cannot say for sure how long anyone will live with T-cell leukemia.
The diagnosis of T-cell leukemia begins with a blood test called a complete blood count (CBC). A CBC measures the numbers of different types of cells in the blood. If the blood contains many white blood cells, T-cell leukemia may be suspected.
The thymus is the primary site of T cell development, where progenitors from the bone marrow lacking CD4+ and CD8+ coreceptor expression undergo T cell receptor (TCR) rearrangement to generate CD4+CD8+ double positive (DP) thymocytes.