TLS/FUS-ERG fusion gene in acute lymphoblastic leukemia with t(16;21)(p11;q22) and monitoring of minimal residual disease.

Author(s): Kanazawa T, Ogawa C, Taketani T, Taki T, Hayashi Y, Morikawa A

Affiliation(s): Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan. tkanazaw@showa.gunma-u.ac.jp

Publication date & source: 2005-12, Leuk Lymphoma., 46(12):1833-5.

Publication type: Case Reports

This study reports a 1-year-old boy with precursor B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) carrying t(16;21)(p11;q22). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and direct sequence analysis showed TLS/FUS-ERG chimeric mRNA with a novel junctional pattern of exon 7 of TLS/FUS and exon 6 of ERG. He did not respond to ALL-oriented therapy. Complete remission (CR) was achieved by chemotherapy oriented for acute myeloid leukemia. Allogenic bone marrow transplantation was done and he has been in CR for 24 months. TLS/FUS-ERG chimeric mRNA was not detected after CR. This is the first report of an ALL patient with a TLS/FUS-ERG fusion transcript.