Klin Padiatr 2004; 216 - 37
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-828582

A PCR-based method allows the identification of any MLL translocation

C Meyer 1, B Schneider 1, S Wehner 7, M Reichel 2, S Angermüller 2, S Schnittger 3, C Schoch 3, MWJC Jansen 4, JJM van Dongen 4, R Pieters 5, OA Haas 6, S Strehl 6, T Dingermann 1, T Klingebiel 7, R Marschalek 1
  • 1Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
  • 2Chair of Genetics, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
  • 3Laboratory for Leukemia Diagnostics, Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
  • 4Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  • 5Department of Paediatric Oncology/Haematology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  • 6CCRI St. Anna Kinderspital, Vienna, Austria
  • 7Department of Pediatric Hematology, Children's Hospital III, Frankfurt, Germany

Acute leukemias are associated with specific chromosomal translocations of the human MLL gene. In general, MLL translocations define a distinct disease entity that needs to be diagnosed with precision to facilitate rapid clinical decisions. Here we present data about a PCR based method that uses patient genomic DNA to identify specific MLL fusions. Fourty different MLL translocations were successfully analyzed. We will present three novel MLL transloaction partner genes and will discuss the benefits of this novel technique for diagnosis and MRD analyses.

Supported by grant 2001.061.1 from the Wilhelm Sander foundation.