Abstract: [Abstract] Objective To investigate the expression and relation of estrogen receptor(ER) α and β in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL). Methods: Fist using an immunocyto- chemical stain technique APAAP to immunophenotype thirty childhood with ALL in newly diagnosed group.The expression of ERα and ERβ in all patients’ mononuclear cells of bone marrow was detected by S-P immunohistochemical assay.The control group including 15 children with normal bone marrow. Results:The positive expression of ERα and ERβ is 56.7% and 76.7% respectively in the newly diagnosed ALL group, both were remarkably significant higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The rate of the remission have no significant difference between the positive expression and negative expression of ERα(P>0.05). The rate of the remission of the positive expression of ERβ was remarkably significant higher than that of the negative expression of ERβ(P<0.05). The rate of the positive expression of ERα have no significant difference between the remission and non-remission group(P>0.05). The rate of the positive expression of ERβ in the remission group was remarkably significant higher than that in the non-remission group (P<0.05).The expression of ERα and ERβ were no difference respectively in ALL-B and ALL-T. Conclusions: Childhood ALL may be an incretion dependent tumor. ERβ may play an important role in the occurrence, development and prognosis of childhood ALL.

Key words: acute leukemia , ERα , ERβ, childhood , immunohistochemistry