Multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction screening in acute myeloid leukemia detects cytogenetically unrevealed abnormalities of prognostic significance.

A commercial multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction screening assay, covering 28 leukemic fusion transcripts, was applied in 143 samples obtained from patients with acute myeloid leukemia at primary diagnosis. In five patients, a cytogenetically unrevealed fusion gene of prognostic importance was detected, while the assay failed to detect one case of t(15;17).