Effective Tuesday, July 9, 2019, Ph-like Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) RNA Fusion and Variant Detection by next generation sequencing (NGS) is available by the Molecular Pathology Laboratory in the Department of Pathology.

Key features to note:

• Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-like ALL, also referred to as BCR-ABL1 negative ALL, is a high-risk subset of ALL with a gene expression profile that shares significant overlap with that of BCR-ABL1 positive ALL and is suggestive of activated kinase signaling. Ph-like ALL cases contain a variety of genomic alterations that activate kinase and cytokine receptor signaling.
• This assay is used to detect these alternative RNA fusions and variants in the following genes: common variants in BRAF, IKZF1, IL7, JAK1, JAK3, KRAS, NRAS, and SH2B3, and fusion transcripts involving rearrangements of ABL1, ABL2, BLNK3, CBL3, CRLF2, CSF1R, DGKH3, EPOR, FGFR1, FLT3, IKZF1, IL2RB, JAK2, LYN3, NTRK3, PDGFRA, PDGFRB, PTK2B, TSLP, and TYK2.

EPIC Test Name: PH-LIKE ALL GENE FUSION AND MUTATION DETECTION AND INTERPRETATION

EPIC Order Code: LAB8912

Specimen Type: Whole blood (EDTA anti-coagulated; 6 mL pink top tube) or bone marrow aspirate (EDTA anti-coagulated; pink or lavender top tube) or tissue formalin fixed and paraffin embedded. Store and send whole blood refrigerated. DO NOT CENTRIFUGE.

Method: Reverse transcription, anchored multiplexed PCR for targeted next-generation sequencing is performed on RNA isolated from bone marrow, blood or formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue. Testing is batched. Turnaround time is 7-10 days.

Results Reported: Fusion or variants detected.

Questions concerning testing can be directed to Aaron Bossler, MD, PhD (319-384-9566), Deqin Ma, MD, PhD (319-384-5700), or Sharathkumar Bhagavathi, MD (319-678-8197).