The t(15;17) translocation in @entity2799 ( @entity2799 ) yields a @entity49677 fusion messenger RNA species that can be detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification. Breakpoints within intron 3 of @entity15629 produce a short @entity49677 isoform, whereas breakpoints within intron 6 result in a longer form. Using RT-PCR, serial evaluations were performed on the bone marrow of 82 @entity1 with @entity2799 (median follow-up, > 63 months) who received @entity1968 (RA) induction followed by postremission treatment with chemotherapy, RA, and biologic agents. Sixty-four @entity1 attained a clinical complete remission and had at least 2 RT-PCR assays performed after completing therapy. Forty of 47 @entity1 (85%) with newly diagnosed @entity2799 who were induced using RA had @entity66 detectable by RT-PCR before additional therapy. After 3 cycles of consolidation therapy, @entity66 was found in only 4 of 40 evaluable @entity1 (10%). Among newly diagnosed @entity1 who had 2 or more negative RT-PCR assays, only 3 of 41 (7%) had a relapse, whereas all 4 @entity1 (100%) who had 2 or more positive results had a relapse. Among 63 newly diagnosed @entity1 , those who expressed the short isoform appeared to have shorter disease-free and overall survival durations than @entity1 who expressed the long isoform. These data indicate that 2 or more negative RT-PCR assays on bone marrow, performed at least 1 month apart after completing therapy, are strongly associated with long-term remissions. Conversely, a confirmed positive test is highly predictive of relapse.

Prognostic significance of minimal @entity66 detection and XXXX isoform type: long-term follow-up in @entity2799 .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity2799 :: ('MESH:D015473', 'Disease') :: ['APL', 'acute promyelocytic leukemia'] @entity66 :: ('MESH:D004194', 'Disease') :: ['residual disease'] @entity15629 :: ('5371', 'Gene') :: ['PML'] @entity49677 :: ('5371;5914', 'Gene') :: ['PML/RAR-alpha'] @entity1968 :: ('MESH:D014212', 'Chemical') :: ['retinoic acid']
@entity49677 :: (5371;5914,Gene) :: ['PML/RAR-alpha']
