Diagnostic classification of B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Molecular cytogenetic characterisation of genetically unclassified subtypes of childhood B-cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic leukaemia
IRAS ID
204692
Contact name
Philip Ancliff
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UCL Institute of Child Health
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, months, days
Research summary
Acquired genetic abnormalities are a hallmark of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). They provide insights into the biological mechanisms which transform normal cells into cancer cells. Identifying known and associated genetic alterations determine treatment and provide prognostic information for the patient. B-Cell Precursor ALL (BCP-ALL) is the most common and successfully treated type of leukaemia. However, approximately 20% of children with BCP-ALL lack significant genetic markers in order to risk-stratify them to a correct treatment protocol. There are three categories of risk: Low, Intermediate and Adverse/High and each are associated with specific genetic changes. Therefore, if at diagnosis a low-risk genetic marker is identified in the leukaemic bone marrow sample, that patient is given appropriate low-risk therapy and not subjected to more intensive treatment; thereby, preventing more serious damage to developing organs such as the brain, heart and kidneys. The 20% BCP-ALL patient group without identifiable genetic alterations (biomarkers) are currently pooled into an intermediate risk group and treated using an intermediate treatment protocol, but not low- or high-risk. Therefore, as this is an indeterminate group the treatment outcome may not be optimal. A retrospective study to genetically characterise pseudo-anonymised and consented samples from 68 children with genetically undetermined BCP-ALL diagnosed at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children between 1994-2011 is planned to screen for novel prognostic genetic markers identified by international clinically-led groups. The data from this study should enable a more accurate risk assessment for this group of patients; therefore enabling correct treatment stratification.
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/0732
Date of REC Opinion
11 Apr 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion