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Detection and quantification of CBFB/MYH11 fusion transcripts in patients with inv(16)‐positive acute myeloblastic leukemia by real‐time RT‐PCR
Author(s) -
Krauter Jürgen,
Hoellge Wolf,
Wattjes Mike Peter,
Nagel Stefan,
Heidenreich Olaf,
Bunjes Donald,
Ganser Arnold,
Heil Gerhard
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
genes, chromosomes and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.754
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1098-2264
pISSN - 1045-2257
DOI - 10.1002/gcc.1100
Subject(s) - acute myeloblastic leukemia , fusion transcript , real time polymerase chain reaction , leukemia , fusion gene , minimal residual disease , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , immunology , gene , genetics
We used a newly established real‐time RT‐PCR assay for the quantification of the leukemia‐specific CBFB/MYH11 transcripts in inv(16)‐positive acute myeloblastic leukemia. CBFB/MYH11 could be quantified over a five log range, with a detection limit of 10 molecules of a CBFB/MYH11 plasmid and a 1:10 5 dilution of RNA of the inv(16)‐positive ME‐1 cell line, respectively. The fusion transcripts were also quantified in 19 patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia and an inv(16) at initial diagnosis. The expression of CBFB/MYH11 varied over a two log range without correlation to clinical response or relapse rate. In nine patients, CBFB/MYH11 was also quantified during/after chemotherapy and autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplantation. All of these patients showed a similar decline of CBFB/MYH11 after intensive therapy. Six of these patients are in complete remission with a stable low‐level or absent CBFB/MYH11 expression. Three patients relapsed, and their CBFB/MYH11 transcripts rose again to pretreatment levels. In two patients, this increase in CBFB/MYH11 could be detected by real‐time PCR before hematological relapse. These data indicate that real‐time RT‐PCR can be used for the sensitive detection and quantification of CBFB/MYH11 transcripts in the follow‐up of patients with inv(16)‐positive AML. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.