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  • Title: PML-RAR alpha fusion transcripts by RNA PCR in acute promyelocytic leukemia in remission and its correlation with clinical outcome.
    Author: Ikeda K, Sasaki K, Tasaka T, Nagai M, Kawanishi K, Takahara J, Irino S.
    Journal: Int J Hematol; 1994 Oct; 60(3):197-205. PubMed ID: 7858239.
    Abstract:
    Molecularly defined specific chromosomal translocation in leukemia allows detection of minimal residual leukemia cells by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). However, the positivity of the specific fusion transcripts in chronic myelogenous leukemia and acute myelogenous leukemia with t(8;21) is reportedly not directly correlated with the predictability of relapse. We analyzed seven patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) in hematological remission for PML-retinoic acid receptor alpha (PML-RAR alpha) fusion transcripts by RT-PCR with the sensitivity level of one APL cell in 10(5) bone marrow mononuclear cells. Two of the four patients with chemotherapy-induced remission had detectable PML-RAR alpha only before treatment. In the other two patients with chemotherapy-induced remission, the PML-RAR alpha was detectable when their remission was first confirmed and became negative after consolidation chemotherapy. Two patients were resistant to chemotherapy and achieved remission by all-trans-retinoic acid; PML-RAR alpha was detectable in them for a few months during consolidation chemotherapy. Two patients whose PML-RAR alpha had become continuously positive had relapse 2 and 8 months later, but the other five patients with continuously negative or only transiently positive PML-RAR alpha remained in remission during follow-up for 11 to 35 months. These findings suggest the relevance of detectable PML-RAR alpha by RT-PCR to the predictability of relapse in acute promyelocytic leukemia.
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