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Reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction follow‐up and minimal residual disease detection in t(1;19)‐positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Author(s) -
Privitera Enrica,
Rivolta Anna,
Ronchetti Domenica,
Mosna Giuliana,
Giudici Giovanni,
Biondi Andrea
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2141.1996.00366.x
Subject(s) - minimal residual disease , reverse transcriptase , chromosomal translocation , polymerase chain reaction , chemotherapy , gene rearrangement , bone marrow , complete remission , reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction , acute lymphocytic leukemia , biology , medicine , disease , leukemia , lymphoblastic leukemia , immunology , gastroenterology , gene , messenger rna , genetics
The t(1;19) is the most frequent recurring chromosomal translocation in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). In most cases typical chimaeric E2A‐PBX1 transcripts are expressed as a consequence of this rearrangement, allowing the molecular detection of the t(1;19) at the RNA level. This translocation has been associated with a poor clinical outcome, although intensified chemotherapy has been reported to nullify its adverse prognostic impact. We therefore used reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) to detect residual leukaemic cells at successive times during treatment and to monitor the response to chemotherapy in six t(1;19)‐positive ALL paediatric patients. Five of these patients rapidly achieved molecular remission and no evidence of minimal residual disease (MRD) was found in the remission bone marrows beyond the third month of treatment. One patient still displayed residual leukaemic cells at the end of therapy, although she has been in continuous complete clinical remission (CCR) for 84 months. However, this patient is peculiar in our series in that two different types of chimaeric E2A‐PBX1 transcripts were expressed in her leukaemic cells, only one being detectable in remission.