Objective: To explore whether detecting minimal residual disease (MRD) of leukemia with hypermethylation of the calcitonin gene as molecular genetic marker of leukemic clone may predict the prognosis.
Methods: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in combination with digestion of DNA with HpaII was used to examine the methylation patterns of the calcitonin gene in 29 cases with acute leukemia and 8 cases with transformation of chronic myeloid leukemia. By using PCR, MRD was longitudinally detected in patients who were positive for hypermethylation of the calcitonin gene as molecular genetic marker.
Results: Twenty patients with acute leukemia and transformation of chronic myeloid leukemia had MRD after complete remission. Bone marrow relapse occurred soon when MRD persisted or reappeared. It may predict bone marrow relapse two to eleven months earlier. The patients who were negative for MRD early and remained persistently negative may acquire prolonged survival.
Conclusion: MRD of leukemia may be monitored by using PCR with hypermethylation of the calcitonin gene as molecular genetic marker for leukemic clone. It may prove useful in predicting the prognosis of leukemia.