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Leukemia Research Studying AML Studying B-CLL
In 2002, Okutsu et al, used a cDNA microarray produced with a commercially available microarray spotter machine to study the gene expression profiles of strong responders and poor responders to chemotherapy treatment of their AML. 4,608 genes were probed for 56 patients. Based on the patients gene expression profile and response to treatment, the researchers developed a "Drug Response Score." This drug response score was then used to predict the clinical outcome of an additional 20 patients who were not a part of the initial study. Again, where 20-30% of patients do not respond to the chemotherapy, the researches found that they were able to predict this failure nearly 90% of the time. In 2004, a larger study was conducted by Valk et al. In this study, the gene expression profile of 285 AML patients was determined using an Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarray which probed for approximately 13,000 genes. Using unsupervised analysis, the researchers were able to determine 16 distinct clusters of patients. When these clusters were compared to clinical outcomes, a strong correlation was seen. Of particular importance to the possibility of using this diagnosis in future clinical settings, the researchers determined that off the clusters with the poorest prognosis, they could be identified accurately with a minimal amount of genes probed.
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The
DNA Microarray:
AML
is successfully treated with chemotherapy in the majority of cases.
Unfortunately, approximately 20-30% of cases do not respond to
chemotherapy. These patients still suffer the adverse affects of the
chemotherapy, which often leaves their body to weaken to attempt other potential
treatments up to and including stem-cell transplants. The ability to
identify this subgroup of patients would be invaluable.