[The clinical significance of minimal residual disease of acute leukemia with t(4;11) (q21;q23)]

Rinsho Ketsueki. 1996 Nov;37(11):1318-21.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

Hybrid fusion genes are specific tumor markers of several leukemic subtypes. The use of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to amplify chimeric cDNAs allows sensitive detection of the leukemia clone. The clinical relevance of minimal residual disease (MRD) remains controversial. In this report, an infantile acute lymphoblastic leukemia with t(4;11) (q21; q23) was analyzed after each treatment for the presence of MRD by RT-PCR amplification of the MLL/LTG4 fusion gene which became available recently. The patient soon achieved a hematological CR, after induction therapy, and underwent autologous BMT following consolidation chemotherapy for 9 months. However, he relapsed three months after the BMT. MRD was always detectable during his clinical course. These findings suggest that the detection of MRD of the MLL/LTG4 fusion transcript is a useful tool for monitoring MRD and selecting treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasm, Residual
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / genetics*
  • Translocation, Genetic*