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Published on: March 5, 2018
PRAME mRNA levels in cases with acute leukemia: clinical importance and future prospects
Semra Paydas1, Kahraman Tanriverdi, Sinan Yavuz
1Department of Oncology, Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Turkey. sepay@cu.edu.tr
Abstract:
The PRAME (preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma) gene has been shown to be expressed in high levels in some solid tumors and hemopoietic neoplasias but not or only weakly expressed in normal tissues. It encodes an antigen recognized by autologous cytolytic T lymphocytes. PRAME is a good candidate for tumor immunotherapy and is a useful marker gene for detection of minimal residual disease (MRD). In this study, PRAME mRNA using real-time RT-PCR was studied in 74 adult cases with acute leukemia-68 had de-novo acute leukemia, 3 had chronic myeloid leukemia-blastic crisis (CML-BC), and 3 had myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative syndrome-blastic transformation (MDS/MPD-BT)-and the results were compared with 30 age-matched healthy volunteers. Nineteen of 74 cases with leukemia expressed PRAME, while only 2 controls showed weak expression. The prevalence of PRAME expression in AML and ALL cases was 30% and 17%, respectively. We did not find any important correlation between PRAME expression and clinical characteristics, such as age, sex, organomegaly/lymphadenopathy, Hb, WBC count, platelet count, LDH level, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, cell-surface antigens, response to therapy, or progression-free and overall survival. PRAME was monitored in 15 cases during remission and/or relapse. There was a good correlation between PRAME mRNA and hematological remission and/or relapse. Interestingly, PRAME was very high in one case with AML but was not found 3 months after allogeneic transplantation. PRAME mRNA is observed in about one-third of AML cases; it may be a useful marker to detect MRD, and it may also be a good predictor for the timing of donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) in the post-transplant period in cases of molecular relapse.
Insights
Preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma (PRAME) gene expression was studied in acute leukemia patients. PRAME shows promise as a minimal residual disease marker and for predicting donor lymphocyte infusions in post-transplant relapse.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The PRAME gene is highly expressed in certain tumors but not normal tissues.
- PRAME encodes an antigen recognized by T lymphocytes, making it a target for immunotherapy.
- PRAME is a potential marker for detecting minimal residual disease (MRD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate PRAME mRNA expression in adult acute leukemia patients.
- To compare PRAME expression levels in leukemia cases versus healthy controls.
- To assess the correlation of PRAME expression with clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Real-time RT-PCR was used to quantify PRAME mRNA levels.
- Seventy-four adult acute leukemia patients and 30 healthy volunteers were analyzed.
- PRAME expression was monitored during remission and relapse in 15 patients.
Main Results:
- PRAME was expressed in 19% of leukemia cases, with 30% in AML and 17% in ALL.
- No significant correlation was found between PRAME expression and clinical parameters or survival.
- A strong correlation was observed between PRAME mRNA levels and hematological remission/relapse status.
Conclusions:
- PRAME mRNA is present in approximately one-third of AML cases.
- PRAME serves as a valuable marker for MRD detection.
- PRAME may predict the optimal timing for donor lymphocyte infusions in post-transplant molecular relapse.
