EVI1 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Abstract

To diagnose patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in an optimal manner, the combined application of conventional and modern cytogenetics with state-of-the-art molecular diagnostics is a requirement. Although at present, the WHO accurately classifies an array of human AML patients based on karyotyping combined with molecular diagnostic procedures, insight into the molecular defects of human AML is still increasing. As a result of that, the classifi cation of AML will be approved in the upcoming years. The focus of this thesis was to increase our understanding of specific subtypes of human leukemia. We focused on AMLs with chromosome 3q rearrangements, in particular on patients with an inv(3)(q21q26.2) or t(3;3)(q21;q26.2); RPN1-EVI1 (shortly: (inv(3)/t(3;3)), frequently associated with ab