A rapid molecular testing system for differential diagnosis of myeloproliferative neoplasms

Abstract

Myeloproliferative neoplasms include a heterogeneous group of stem cell disorders with overproduction of myeloid cells. They have very different clinical courses and prognosis and are amenable to specific targeted therapy. A prompt and accurate diagnosis is therefore very important. Genetic characterisation plays an important role in diagnosis and classification of these disorders. BCR-ABL1fusion gene and JAK2V617F mutation are the particular major molecular markers to be detected because of availability of targeted therapy.

In this study, a new molecular testing system was developed for the differential diagnosis of myeloproliferative neoplasms. A multiplex reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was developed for fast detection of JAK2 V617F mutation and BCR-ABL1fusion simultaneously. It was demonstrated to be fast and highly sensitive and specific for the mutations as validated by analysis of clinical samples. The sensitivity limit was well suited for clinical diagnosis. There was great potential saving in consumables and manpower with a much shortened turn-around-time in most cases when compared to conventional diagnostic protocol.