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Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Detection and Monitoring of Tumor Associated Circulating DNA in Patient Biofluids
Published on: June 8, 2019
[Quantification of PML/RAR alpha fusion gene transcripts in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia by using
Jiang Lin1, Lan-xiu Han, Jun Qian
1Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematolgy, Affiliated Peopleos Hospital, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212002 People's Republic of China.
Objective:
To establish and evaluate a real time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) method for detection and quantification the PML/RAR alpha fusion gene transcripts in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).
Methods:
Three pairs of primers and TaqMan probe were designed for detecting the most frequent PML/RAR alpha transcripts (L-form, S-form and V-form) and normal ABL was used as an internal control. A real time PCR condition was established to detect PML/RAR alpha and ABL positive templates with a series of dilutions. To evaluate this assay, bone marrow samples from 6 APL patients were detected.
Results:
In repeated tests, maximal sensitivities of 10 copies/microL were obtained, while reproducible maximal sensitivity achieved 100 copies/microL. In 10 normal controls, no amplified fluorescent signals were detected. The median absolute and normalized amount of PML/RAR alpha fusion gene transcripts were 4.27 x 10(3)-3.36 x 10(5) copies/50 ng (median 4.33 x 10(4)copies/50 ng) and 29.38%-600.53% (median 48.12%) respectively. One case showed significant decrease of PML/RAR alpha fusion gene transcripts after induction therapy compared to that at the time of diagnosis, while the fusion transcripts significantly increased after relapsed.
Conclusion:
RQ-PCR is a sensitive, reliable quantitative assay and can be used in the diagnosis of APL and measurement of MRD.

