
Physician-scientist Ross Levine
A study led by Memorial Sloan Kettering researchers has identified a set of genetic abnormalities that can be used to make more-accurate prognoses in people with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). This information could help clinicians determine which treatments are most likely to benefit patients with this type of leukemia.
“Our study shows that genetic profiling makes it possible to categorize leukemia patients more precisely in terms of whether their disease will return after treatment,” says medical oncologist Ross L. Levine, the lead author of the study reported in the March 22 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Levine is a member of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Leukemia Service and the Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program.
“We also want to use existing therapies more intelligently,” Dr. Levine adds. “It helps a great deal to know which subset of patients will actually benefit from intensive therapies, such as a higher chemotherapy dose or a bone marrow transplant.”
Calculating Risk Based on Genes
At present, clinicians rely on a handful of known genetic biomarkers (markers of disease) to predict outcome in leukemia patients, and these biomarkers provide useful information for only a subset of patients. For most people diagnosed with AML, it is difficult to predict the chance of a cure.
The method used in the study incorporates information from an array of genes and could enable nearly two-thirds of patients to be categorized into clearly defined prognostic groups. “Our goal was not to ask whether a certain gene or two raised or lowered risk, but to determine whether an amalgam of information from a set of genes made it possible to precisely stratify patients by risk,” Dr. Levine says.
Back to topLinking Gene Mutations to Treatment Response
In the study, the researchers analyzed blood or bone marrow samples from 502 patients with AML who were participating in a clinical trial. Such samples are routinely taken for research purposes during trials with patient consent. Led by Martin S. Tallman, Chief of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Leukemia Service, the clinical trial investigated whether increasing the standard dose of chemotherapy in AML patients under age 60 would improve survival.
The team that performed the genetic analysis, which included investigators from Memorial Sloan Kettering, Weill Cornell Medical College, and other institutions, examined the samples for mutations within 18 genes known to have abnormalities in people with AML. The researchers noted the relationship between the mutations present in each patient and how that patient ultimately fared with the disease under either the standard or increased chemotherapy dose.
The analysis enabled the researchers to determine specific risk levels for a variety of gene-mutation combinations. They also were able to establish that the higher chemotherapy dose used in the trial benefited only some of the patients.
The researchers took into account variables such as patient age and gender, and validated the results in a separate group of patients — ensuring that the profiling approach could be generally applied beyond the current trial.
“We want to show this approach can be used not just at Memorial Sloan Kettering but throughout the leukemia community,” Dr. Levine explains.
Dr. Levine and his Memorial Sloan Kettering colleagues are working to translate the results from the study into clinical use. “We’ve already developed genetic tests for this set of mutations in patients, and we’re in the process of making sure they work well in practice,” he says.
“We have preliminary evidence that they do, and we’re hoping to have a pilot study soon as a step toward getting it into the clinic.”
Back to topComments
Phyllis Blaunstein
Mar 23, 2013 • 12:42 AM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Mar 23, 2013 • 8:40 AM
In reply to My sister's husband has just by phyllis blaunstein
If you’d like to learn more about clinical trials at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, please visit our clinical trials page at http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/clinical-trials To make an appointment with a Memorial Sloan-Kettering doctor, you can call 800-525-2225. Thanks for your comment.
Phyllis Blaunstein
Mar 23, 2013 • 12:59 AM
A close relative has just been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. He is very weak and has been hospitalized for nearly 2 weeks as he was running an undiagnosed high fever. A bone marrow biopsy just identified AML as the cause of this fever and weakness. Will his condition preclude his beginning treatment?
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Mar 23, 2013 • 8:38 AM
In reply to A close relative has just by phyllis blaunstein
Unfortunately we are not able to answer personal medical questions on our blog. If you’d like to learn more about making an appointment with a Memorial Sloan-Ketterint doctor, please visit http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/appointment or call 800-525-2225. Thanks for your comment.
Roberta Ellen
Mar 29, 2013 • 5:12 PM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Mar 29, 2013 • 10:09 PM
In reply to My husband has been recently by Roberta Ellen
Hi, Roberta. We spoke with Dr. Levine, who said, “Our research has been shared with leukemia experts all over the world, both so that others are aware of our findings and to compare results between different institutions. If your husband and you would like to see one of our AML experts to discuss diagnostic and treatment options, please call the physician referral service and they will refer him to our AML treatment team.” You can reach our physician referral service at 800-525-2225. Thanks for your comment.
Roberta Ellen
Mar 29, 2013 • 7:57 PM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Mar 29, 2013 • 10:10 PM
In reply to i RECEIVED A REPLY VIA EMAIL. by Roberta Ellen
Linda Hoyer
Jul 13, 2013 • 1:32 PM
I have two questions:
1) Why at 69 and very healthy can't I be (if otherwise qualified) a marrow transfer for my cousin? I have some arthritis no other diseases. No donors can be found.
2) If a possible inherited disease, could a person, who in his 60's gets AML leukemia had, in his 20's, been a marrow doner to a sister, 29 with AML leukemia, who died from the donation, have died from a (perhaps exact) gene carried by the doner at the time of donation? ie:would having a related or exact gene react in a recipient with the same disease cause a recipient death?
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Jul 13, 2013 • 2:38 PM
In reply to I have two questions: 1) Why by Linda Hoyer
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Jul 16, 2013 • 2:01 PM
In reply to I have two questions: 1) Why by Linda Hoyer
Linda, we consulted with Dr. Ross Levine, one of the authors of the study mentioned in the story you commented on. This is his response to your questions:
1. The decision of who to use as a bone marrow donor involves many factors, including age, other illnesses, and other factors. In addition it is critical for the donor to be matched to the recipient. Your cousin’s doctors are assessing every possibility and if they have questions can consult with the MSKCC transplant doctors.
2. There are very rare cases described (fewer than 10) in which a bone marrow recipient has gotten a blood cancer which is derived from the donor’s cells. I am not aware of any cases where the same leukemia occurred in both the donor and in the recipient; this is technically possible but very unlikely. In addition it is very, very unlikely that this would happen in this case, as a 40 year duration would be unusually long for a leukemia to remain dormant in the donor and then manifest 40 years after it did in their sister.
Eleanor O'Connell
Oct 18, 2013 • 1:10 PM
My son, age 40, was diagnosed with AML in 2011 and died at MSKCC in Jan 2013. He had all the treatment that was available. Family history includes breast cancer and ovarian cancer among blood relatives. I am worried about my grandchildren. Research seems to suggest that genetics plays a part in identifying the disease. Is it possible? will it be possible? that your research might be used to identify potential victims of the disease.
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Oct 20, 2013 • 11:06 PM
In reply to My son, age 40, was diagnosed by Eleanor O'Connell
Eleanor, we consulted with Dr. Levine about your question and he responded: We are sorry for your loss. Unlike other cancers such as breast cancer, most cases of AML are sporadic, and are not associated with a family history or a risk of AML in other members of the family. Although very rare families have been identified with multiple cases of AML within a single family, this is exceedingly rare and not so common that we advise screening if only one family member is affected.
G Paige
Oct 27, 2013 • 11:29 AM
My sister of 66 has just undergone her second treatment and it has been unsuccessful she is now doing MEG. She has Aml. The problem chromosome is number eight and she has been differentiated blast. If this treatment does not put her into remission can she still come to your hospital to be treated. She is in For help and has tolerated treatment very well. excellent condition and has tolerated the treatments well.
Thank you for your comment. If you would like to find out whether your sister can come for treatment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, please call our Physician Referral Service at 800-525-2225 or go to http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/appointment.
Andy Rodriguez
Nov 11, 2013 • 6:45 AM
Hi, my wife was diagnosed with AML a few months ago, it's M2. She is 40 yrs old , she works as a NP, she is very healthy but at night she gets these strong headaches, every night, I would like to know why? She is not getting treatment because she just became directer of a insurance CO. What will happen untreated ? Thank you
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Nov 11, 2013 • 7:29 AM
In reply to Hi, my wife was diagnosed by Andy Rodriguez
We are sorry to hear about your wife’s diagnosis. We are not able to answer specific medical questions on the blog. It’s best that she consult with her physician. If she would like to make an appointment with one of our specialists, please call 800-525-2225. Here is a link with more information about making an appointment: http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/appointment Also, here is more information about leukemia, and treatment for AML: http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/adult/leukemias
Thank you for your comment.
WALTER WESOLOWSKI
Jan 23, 2014 • 2:48 PM
I am a 77 year old male with AML diagnosed initially in August, 2012, went through the 7/3 induction chemo treatment locally in Norfolk, VA. Consolidation treatment has consisted of Vidaza on a 4 week cycle (7 days of 3 shots, followed by a Nulasta shot). All bone marrow tests show me to be in remission, latest being in Dec. 2013. Last summer I saw Dr Douer at MSKCC for a second opinion on my treatment. I have two questions:
1. Based upon my excellent response to treatment, can you give me an estimated prognosis? I feel I am in excellent health at present. Walk daily, play golf, etc.
2. I am also wondering if my Vidaza shot routine could be changed from 7 days to five as my body really takes a beating by days 6 and 7.
Thank you,
Walter Wesolowski
LCDR, USN (RET)
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Jan 23, 2014 • 3:17 PM
In reply to I am a 77 year old male with by WALTER WESOLOWSKI
Dear Mr. Wesolowski, unfortunately, we are unable to answer personal medical questions on the blog. We suggest you call Dr. Douer’s office directly to discuss your concerns. His number is 212-639-2471. Thanks for your comment.
Carol A. Preece
Nov 13, 2014 • 12:04 AM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Nov 13, 2014 • 9:49 AM
In reply to My father died of multiple by Carol A. Preece
Dear Carol, our deepest condolences for your losses, and we are sorry to hear about your daughter’s MGUS diagnosis. We sent your inquiry to Dr. Levine, and he responded:
“The testing we have helped developed is used for patients who already have
a diagnosis of a blood cancer. It cannot currently be used to predict who
is at risk for a new diagnosis. For your daughter, if she would like, she
can be seen by one of our myeloma experts, who do see patients with MGUS and can advise on the best course of action.”
To make an appointment with one of our specialists, please call our Referral Service at 800-525-2225. FYI, here is a bit more information about MGUS from our website: http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/adult/multiple-myeloma/monoclonal-gamm…
Thank you for reaching out to us.
Carol A. Preece
Nov 13, 2014 • 12:13 AM
Mia
Jun 11, 2015 • 2:13 PM
Mia, thank you for reaching out. If you contact our Physician Referral Service at 800-525-2225, they will be able to match you with an MSK specialist who deals with MGUS. You also can go to http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/appointment. Thanks for your comment.
My sister's husband has just been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and I am interested in learning about clinical trials for which he might be eligible.