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NADP-dependent enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase ( IDH) mutations, IDH1 and IDH2, have been described in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using next generation sequencing approaches. IDH2 mutations are heterozygous; they alter a single arginine residue at position 140 or 172 and have distinct prognostic significance. The current detection methods of IDH2 mutations are laborious and time consuming as they require DNA sequencing. Herein, we report a new allele-specific oligonucleotide-polymerase chain reaction (ASO-PCR) method to detect the IDH2 mutations. Analysis of leukemic DNA samples from 120 AML patients enabled to identify IDH2 mutations in 22 cases which were confirmed by direct DNA sequencing. Of these, 17 harbored IDH2 (R140Q) and 5 IDH2 (R172K) mutations. Serial dilution experiments showed that the assay enable to detect mutations in 10 dilutions. Our ASO-PCR method appears useful for routine diagnostic screening of these prognostically relevant alterations in AML and may be conveniently included in the diagnostic workup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detection of genetic markers improves diagnostic refinement of chronic myeloproliferative disorders (CMDs) and is helpful in discriminating reactive conditions mimicking CMDs such as reactive erythrocytosis and thrombocytosis. We set-up a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay followed by capillary electrophoresis, designed to simultaneously screen the two main genetic lesions associated with CMDs, i.e. the BCR-ABL fusion characteristic of chronic myeloid leukemia and the JAK2 V617F mutation that characterises polycythaemia vera and a proportion of cases of essential thrombocythemia and idiopathic myelofibrosis. The test was used in the diagnostic work-up of 50 patients with elevation of ≥2 myeloid cell types in their blood count at presentation and in 42 patients with isolated, non-reactive thrombocytosis. This approach refined diagnosis in 44 of 50 cases in the first series and in 22 of 42 cases with isolated thrombocytosis. We conclude that this non-isotopic and rapid assay amenable to automation may be adopted in routine genetic diagnosis of CMDs as well as for initial screening of thrombocytosis of unknown nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]