title: Detection and quantitation of the CBFbeta/MYH11 transcripts associated with the inv(16) in presentation and follow-up samples from patients with AML.
abstract: We have developed a competitor-based RT-PCR technique which will detect and quantitate the CBFbeta/MYH11 transcripts associated with inv(16)(q22;p13) and have used it to study presentation and follow-up samples of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The levels of the leukaemia-specific transcripts are expressed as a ratio to a ubiquitously expressed mRNA species (Abl) which controls for RNA degradation. This technique has been applied to 75 consecutive patients presenting with either de novo AML or tMDS; 6/75 patients analysed were positive for the inv(16), all were confirmed by conventional cytogenetics. The inv(16) has a strong association with M4Eo, but we found only 2/6-positive patients to have this diagnosis (two patients with M2, one patient M1 and one patient had MDS). At presentation the levels of CBFbeta/MYH11 transcripts were 0.1-10/Abl transcript (mean 3.3/Abl transcript). Seventeen follow-up samples were available on 5/6 of these patients, and on two further patients in whom stored material was available. Following the first cycle of chemotherapy the level of transcripts was at least 10(-2) lower (0.1-10 x 10(-2)/abl transcript) than their presentation sample. Subsequent samples on these patients when in remission gave transcript levels in the range (1.0 x 10(-4) - 2 x 10(-3)/abl transcript), and three long-term follow-up samples were negative. We have developed a quantitative test which opens the possibility of predicting relapse by detecting changes in the numbers of leukaemia-specific transcripts.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Oncology, The General Infirmary at Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Short
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Jack
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Norfolk
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Child
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Shiach
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tobal
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Liu Yin
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Morgan
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D007446:Chromosome Inversion; D002885:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: C095514:CBFbeta-MYH11 fusion protein; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion