SERIAL QUANTIFICATION OF MINIMAL RESIDUAL DISEASE OF t(8;21) ACUTE MYELOGENOUS LEUKAEMIA WITH RT‐COMPETITIVE PCR ASSAY

Abstract
The chromosomal translocation (8;21)(q22;q22) in the AML M2 subtype according to the FAB classification, results in the production of a novel fusion gene AML1/ETO. The chimaeric AML1/ETO transcript is useful for the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD). Recently, several studies on the detection of AML1/ETO transcripts in t(8;21) AML have been reported. However, the clinical significance of a small number of AML1/ETO transcripts by a reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) remains to be elucidated. We have developed a novel quantitative RT‐competitive PCR assay and evaluated the clinical usefulness of this method by the monitoring of MRD in eight patients with t(8;21) AML. In four patients in first continuous complete remission (CR) the value of MRD was always AML1/ETO fusion transcripts by our RT‐competitive PCR assay may be useful to monitor disease progression and to predict subsequent relapse.

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