Acute Myeloid Leukemia Molecular Genetic Testing

Detect and quantitate gene alterations/translocations/
inversions. Use for minimal residual disease (MRD) and relapse risk monitoring.
Use for diagnosis, prognosis, and management. Not intended for MRD monitoring.
Use for prognostication in cytogenetically normal AML (CN-AML).
Use for prognostication in core-binding factor-related (CBF) AML.
Related Next Generation Sequencing Tests

Acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by the clonal expansion of myeloid precursors in the peripheral blood, bone marrow, and/or other tissues, which results in impaired hematopoiesis and bone marrow failure.     AML is the most common acute leukemia in adults (~80% of leukemia cases) and accounts for the largest number of annual deaths from leukemia in the United States.   Gene alterations, along with translocations and inversions, carry prognostic importance in AML. In addition to large chromosomal rearrangements, molecular changes have also been implicated in the development of AML. A comprehensive evaluation of several molecular markers, including FLT3, NPM1, CEBPA, KIT, IDH1, and IDH2, is important for risk assessment and prognostication in certain patients with AML, and may guide treatment decisions. 

For more information on next generation sequencing testing for AML, see Myeloid Malignancies Mutation Panel by Next Generation Sequencing.

Testing Strategy

At diagnosis, the minimum AML workup includes a bone marrow aspirate for morphology, flow cytometric immunophenotyping, cytogenetics (eg, karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization [FISH]), and appropriate molecular genetic testing.   

Disease Overview

Incidence

>20,0000 cases/year in the U.S. 

Age of Onset

Median is 67 years 

Symptoms

  • Symptoms resulting from thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and anemia due to the accumulation of blasts in the marrow 
  • Morphologic hallmark: excessive accumulation of blasts (typically >20%) and other defined immature cells which affect one or more myeloid lineage 

Test Interpretation

For more detailed information on the prognostic significance of molecular markers in AML, see the ARUP Consult Acute Myeloid Leukemia topic.

Recurrent Genetic Abnormalities in AML   
Molecular Genetic Alteration Prognostic Significance

CEBPA

Biallelic mutations confer favorable prognosis

FLT3 ITD and TKD

Poor prognosis associated with FLT3 ITD mutation; ​FLT3 TKD mutation has unclear prognosis

IDH1 and IDH2

Unfavorable prognosis; targeted therapy is available for AML with IDH1 or IDH2 mutation

KIT

Poor prognosis, usually associated with core binding factor leukemias; increased risk of relapse

NPM1

Favorable prognosis in patients with normal karyotype and without FLT3 ITD mutation; poor prognosis if present with FLT3 ITD and DNMT3A mutations

CBFB-MYH11a

Usually associated with high rate of CR and long-term, disease-free survival when treated with intensive consolidation therapy

PML-RARAa

More favorable prognosis than any other AML cytogenetic subtype when treated appropriately

RUNX1-RUNX1T1a

Usually associated with a high rate of CR and long-term, disease free survival when treated with intensive consolidation therapy

aThese fusions can initially be screened by FISH but are also useful in monitoring for MRD.

CR, complete remission

Sources: NCCN, 2019 ; De Kouchkovsky, 2016 ; WHO, 2017 

Sensitivity/Specificity

Gene Methodology Analytical Sensitivity Analytical Specificity (%)

CEBPA

PCR/sequencing

40% mutated cells

100

FLT3 ITD and TKD

PCR/CE

Signal ratio of 0.05 for ITD and 0.05 for TKD D835

100

IDH1 and IDH2

PCR/sequencing

40% mutated cells

100

KIT

PCR/fragment analysis/sequencing

30% mutated cells for exon 17

5% mutated cells for exon 8

100

NPM1

Quantitative reverse transcription PCR

1:100,000

100

CBFB-MYH11a

Quantitative reverse transcription PCR

1:10,000

100

PML-RARAa

Quantitative reverse transcription PCR

1:10,000

85

RUNX1-RUNX1T1a

Quantitative reverse transcription PCR

1:100,000

100

aThese fusions can initially be screened by FISH but are also useful in monitoring for MRD.

CE, capillary electrophoresis; PCR, polymerase chain reaction

Limitations

  • Variants outside the targeted regions or below the limit of detection will not be identified
  • Results must always be interpreted within the patient's clinical context and in conjunction with other relevant data and should not be used alone for a diagnosis of malignancy

References

Related Information
Acute Myeloid Leukemia - AML