[Minimal residual disease in bone marrow in patients with Ewing's sarcoma detected by RT-PCR amplification of EWS-FLI-1 fusion gene transcript].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To set up a system for sensitively detecting minimal Ewing's sarcoma cells in bone marrow.

METHODS:

Ewing's sarcoma cell line T1 cells were serially diluted with normal bone marrow cells so that the concentration of tumor cells was 10(-3), 10(-4), 10(-5), 10(-6), 10(-7), and 0, respectively. Total RNA was isolated from these samples and cDNA was synthesized. EWS-FLI-1, a fusion gene formed due to chromosome translocation, was amplified with PCR. Bone marrow samples from five patients with Ewing's sarcoma patients with tumor metastasis were examined for EWS-FLI-1 transcript.

RESULTS:

T1 cells could be detected when one was present in 10(6) normal bone marrow cells. Thus the sensitivity of detection was 10(-6). A 434 bp EWS-FLI-1 transcript was detected in five Ewing's sarcoma patients examined at the time of diagnosis. After complete remission, EWS-FLI-1 was still positive on RT-PCR in 3 patients, although BM pathological examination was negative in all cases.

CONCLUSION:

RT-PCR for EWS-FLI-1 is sensitive enough to detect minimal residual Ewing's sarcoma cells in the bone marrow. It can identify residual tumor cells in pathologically negative bone marrow specimens.

• Authors: S Tang, D Huang, X Zhang
• Journal: Zhonghua zhong liu za zhi [Chinese journal of oncology] (Zhonghua Zhong Liu Za Zhi) Vol. 22 Issue 1 Pg. 48-9 (Jan 2000) ISSN: 0253-3766 [Print] China
• PMID: 11776597 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• EWS-FLI fusion protein
• Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
• Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1
• RNA-Binding Protein EWS
• Transcription Factors

Topics

• Bone Marrow Cells (chemistry)
• Child
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Neoplasm Metastasis
• Neoplasm, Residual (diagnosis, genetics)
• Oncogene Proteins, Fusion (analysis, genetics)
• Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1
• RNA-Binding Protein EWS
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Sarcoma, Ewing (diagnosis, genetics)
• Transcription Factors (analysis, genetics)
• Tumor Cells, Cultured