Seven genes monitor minimal residual disease in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia

07-03-2006

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

"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.

The publisher of the journal Clinical Cancer Research can be contacted at: American Association Cancer Research, 615 Chestnut St., 17TH Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106-4404, USA.

Keywords: Jena, Germany, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Pediatrics, Minimal Residual Disease, Gene Expression, Disease Monitoring.

This article was prepared by Cancer Gene Therapy Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Cancer Gene Therapy Week via NewsRx.com.