Summary of Primary Article 

The research article “The functional role of inherited CDKN2A variants in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia” focused on the coding variants of the CDKN2A gene, which is a tumor suppressor gene, and its association to acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL). 

The first method they used to assess the coding variants of the CDKN2A gene was cytokine-independent growth assay. Cells were plated, washed, then plated at a specific density. Trypan blue was used to stain the cells on an automated cell counter, where viable cells were determined. Another method included a cell cycle assay, where the cells were treated with RNase A, stained, and analyzed by FACSCalibur. The final methods of analysis included a MTT-based cell toxicity assay, and a western blot. 

The article revealed the impact of five CDKN2A variants on the susceptibility of ALL. This research can be used to guide the future of ALL treatment.