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Updated: Jan 3, 2026
Oncogenic Gene Fusion Detection Using Anchored Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Followed by Next Generation Sequencing
Published on: July 5, 2019
Multiplexed Digital Detection of B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Fusion Transcripts Using the NanoString nCounter
Yunan Zhong1, Kassa Beimnet2, Zaman Alli2
1Division of Pathology, Department of Pediatric Laboratory Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract:
Chromosomal rearrangements resulting in fusion transcripts have been reported in precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). The identification of fusion events is crucial in the diagnosis of B-ALL. In this study, we used NanoString nCounter technology to design, validate, and evaluate a multiplex panel for the detection of B-ALL fusion transcripts. Fifty-one B-ALL fusion transcripts reported in children in the literature were included in the design of the NanoString panel. Twenty-six fusion transcripts were validated using 64 positive-control samples and 74 negative-control samples with 100% sensitivity and 99% specificity in comparison to RT-PCR. Our results support a potential role of NanoString's technology as a robust and cost-effective technique that could be used in the detection of fusion transcripts and implemented into the diagnostic algorithm of B-ALL.
