Molecular Diagnosis of M3 Leukemia - PML-RARA Molecular Analysis

It is a molecular genetic analysis (usually using polymerase chain reaction - PCR or fluorescence in situ hybridization - FISH) to detect the t(15;17) chromosomal exchange (translocation) and the resulting fusion gene called PML-RARA. PML stands for a gene on chromosome 15 and RARA for a gene on chromosome 17. The presence of this gene mutant is a hallmark of more than 95% of acute myeloid leukemia (APL - type M3) cases, and is essential for diagnosis and for guiding retinoid therapy (such as panretinoic acid - ATRA).