A novel RT‐qPCR assay for quantification of the MLL‐MLLT3 fusion transcript in acute myeloid leukaemia. (1st October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abildgaard, Lotte; Ommen, Hans Beier; Lausen, Birgitte; Hasle, Henrik; Nyvold, Charlotte Guldborg
• Is Part Of: European journal of haematology. Volume 91:Number 5(2013:Nov.)
• Page Start: 394
• Page End: 398
• Publication Date: 2013-10-01
• Subjects: Hematology -- Periodicals; Blood -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Blood -- Periodicals; 616.15005
• DOI: 10.1111/ejh.12156
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0902-4441

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="ejh12156-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="ejh12156-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>Patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) of the monocytic lineage often lack molecular markers for minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring. The <italic>MLL‐MLLT3</italic> fusion transcript found in patients with AML harbouring t(9;11) is amenable to RT‐qPCR quantification but because of the heterogeneity of translocation break points, the <italic>MLL‐MLLT3</italic> fusion gene is a challenging target. We hypothesised that MRD monitoring using <italic>MLL‐MLLT3</italic> as a RT‐qPCR marker is feasible in the majority of patients with t(9;11)‐positive AML.</p> </sec> <sec id="ejh12156-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Using a locked nucleic acid probe, we developed a sensitive RT‐qPCR assay for quantification of the most common break point region of the <italic>MLL‐MLLT3</italic> fusion gene. Five paediatric patients with t(9;11)‐positive AML were monitored using the <italic>MLL‐MLLT3</italic> assay.</p> </sec> <sec id="ejh12156-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>A total of 43 bone marrow (BM) and 52 Peripheral blood (PB) samples were collected from diagnosis until follow‐up. Two patients relapsed, and both were MRD positive in BM after first induction course. A total of three relapses occurred, and they were detected by RT‐qPCR 3 wks before haematological relapse was diagnosed.</p> </sec> <sec id="ejh12156-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>This <italic>MLL‐MLLT3 </italic>RT‐qPCR assay could be useful in MRD monitoring of a group of patients with AML who often lack reliable MRD markers.</p> </sec> </abstract>