Atypical BCR-ABL mRNA transcripts in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Abstract

RT-PCR detects chimeric BCR-ABL mRNA in approximately 25% of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases. Minor breakpoint transcripts (e1a2) are found in about 70% of positive cases and major breakpoint transcripts (e13a2, e14a2) in about 30% of cases. However, other atypical transcripts are sometimes observed. We report experience gained in the GMALL Study Group and identified 8 BCR-ABL-positive adult ALL cases with such atypical transcripts: 5 with e1a3, 2 with e13a3 (b2a3), and 1 with e6a2. This corresponds to a prevalence of 1-2% of all BCR-ABL-positive cases. The clinical courses are reported and diagnostic proposals are made.

• Authors: Thomas Burmeister, Stefan Schwartz, Almut Taubald, Edgar Jost, Thomas Lipp, Folker Schneller, Helmut Diedrich, Henrike Thomssen, Ulrich J M Mey, Jan Eucker, Harald Rieder, Nicola Gökbuget, Dieter Hoelzer, Eckhard Thiel
• Journal: Haematologica (Haematologica) Vol. 92 Issue 12 Pg. 1699-702 (Dec 2007) ISSN: 1592-8721 [Electronic] Italy
• PMID: 18055996 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study)

Chemical References

• RNA, Messenger
• RNA, Neoplasm
• Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl

Topics

• Adult
• Female
• Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl (genetics)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma (diagnosis, genetics)
• RNA, Messenger (genetics)
• RNA, Neoplasm (genetics)