A set of 7 genes have been identified that can be used to monitor minimal residual disease in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia

08-17-2006

"Monitoring of minimal residual disease (MRD) has become a strong diagnostic tool in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It is used for risk-adapted therapy and for the recognition of pending relapses. In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), there is still a need for more suitable MRD markers," investigators in Germany report.

According to the authors, "A stepwise approach which combined genome-wide expression profiling, TaqMan low density arrays, and a TaqMan real-time PCR-based screening was used to identify new markers for the monitoring of MRD in AML. Leukemic cells from 52 children with AML and 145 follow-up samples from 25 patients were analyzed."

"Seven genes were identified which are vastly overexpressed in many patients with AML compared with healthy bone marrow: CCL23, GAGED2, MSLN, SPAG6, and ST18 as well as the previously described markers WT1 and PRAME.

"The expression of all genes decreased to normal levels in patients who achieved a continuous complete remission. Elevated levels of at least one gene were found prior to relapse in 7 out of 10 patients who relapsed," wrote D. Steinbach and colleagues at University Children's Hospital Jena.

"This set of genes should allow a sensitive and specific monitoring of MRD in AML. Notably, some of these markers could also serve as therapeutic targets or might be involved in leukemogenesis. MSLN is already used as a target for immunotherapy in clinical trials in other malignancies," Steinbach concluded.

Steinbach and colleagues published their study in Clinical Cancer Research (Identification of a set of seven genes for the monitoring of minimal residual disease in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia. Clin Cancer Res, 2006;12(8):2434-2441).

For additional information, contact D. Steinbach, University Children's Hospital Jena, Kochstr 2, D-07740 Jena, Germany.

This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.