Prognostic significance of the TEL-AML1 fusion gene in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Turkey

Purpose: The t(12;21) translocation is the most common reciprocal chromosomal rearrangement in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This translocation fuses two genes, TEL and AML1, and results in the production of the TEL-AML1 fusion protein. The authors investigated the incidence and prognostic significance of the TEL-AML1 fusion gene in patients with ALL in Turkey. Methods: The authors analyzed 219 children with ALL using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results: The TEL-AML1 fusion transcript was detected in 20.1% (44/219) of newly diagnosed children with ALL. TEL-AML1-positive patients had precursor B-cell ALL and were 3 to 10 years old at diagnosis. TEL-AML1-positive patients had a significantly lower rate of relapse compared with TEL-AML1-negative patients. TEL-AML1-positive patients have a higher overall survival rate than TEL-AML1-negative patients. Conclusions: These data support that the presence of TEL-AML1 at diagnosis is an independent favorable prognostic indicator in patients with ALL in Turkey