title: Monitoring the AML1/ETO fusion transcript to predict outcome in childhood acute myeloid leukemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To determine the prognostic significance of the detection of the minimal residual disease (MRD) in children with AML1/ETO AML, we compared the results of reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2006 and February 2013, 70 patients (≤16 years of age) with AML1/ETO AML were included in our study. Bone marrow samples were evaluated using by both RT-PCR and RQ-PCR assays. AML1/ETO transcripts were normalized to 10(5) ABL copies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When treated with fewer than four courses of therapy, no association was found between positive RT-PCR results and relapse. After four courses of therapy, a positive RT-PCR result was correlated with a probability of relapse. After induction chemotherapy, a >1.8 log reduction in AML1/ETO transcripts in BM determined by RQ-PCR may represent a subgroup of patients at low risk for relapse. MRD levels after consolidation (Courses 2 and 3) were also informative.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both RT-PCR and RQ-PCR can be used to detect MRD in childhood AML1/ETO AML. RQ-PCR can identify patients who are at high risk of relapse earlier than can RT-PCR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zeng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruan
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Qinghua
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Jianxiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiaofan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D050676:Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012372:ROC Curve; D000075142:RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: C107844:AML1-ETO fusion protein, human; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D050676:Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; D000075142:RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein
keywords: AML1/ETO; acute; child; leukemia; myeloid; polymerase chain reaction