Molecular Oncology Laboratory

1. bcr-abl RT-PCR: The bcr-abl fusion gene is found in more than 95% of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cases. The fusion mRNA transcript can be detected by RT-PCR at a sensitivity of one CML cell in a background of 100,000-1,000,000 normal cells. The detection of bcr-abl is used to diagnose CML and to monitor minimal residual disease after treatment.

2. FLT3 ITD: The FLT3 gene encodes a tyrosine kinase receptor that regulates proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells.  An internal tandem duplication of varying size and placement within exons 11 and 12 has been found to be an independent prognostic factor for poor outcome in both pediatric and adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients.