title: Molecular analysis of PML-RAR alpha fusion mRNA detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay in long-term disease-free acute promyelocytic leukaemia patients.
abstract: By use of RT-PCR of PML/RAR alpha, we evaluated bone marrow aspirates in 10 patients with APL in long-term disease-free status after induction chemotherapy and consolidation (median 54 months: range 33-101 months from complete remission). All patients were in clinical and cytogenetic remission at the time of molecular evaluation (range 32-96 months from CR). All patients but one were found to be RT-PCR negative at the molecular level for the expression of PML-RAR alpha transcript, confirming that the majority of the patients with long-term survival of APL are characterized by the eradication of the neoplastic clone.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Haematology L.e A. Seràgnoli, University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Remiddi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Visani
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Farabegoli
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Testoni
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zaccaria
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manfroi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cenacchi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bandini
mesh_terms: D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D015321:Gene Rearrangement; D006801:Humans; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid / Q000235:genetics*; D000072482:Retinoic Acid Receptor alpha
chemical_list: D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; C000607071:RARA protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid; D000072482:Retinoic Acid Receptor alpha