Value of Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

Objective To investigate the application of fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH) for the detection of PML-RARa fusion gene in the diagnosis and treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia(APL).Methods PML-RARa fusion gene detection was performed in 21 patients suspected of APL by FISH.Results Of the 21 suspected APL patients,fifteen cases were confirmed of APL.Positive PML-RARa fusion genes were found in 14 of the 15 APL patients,while one case with negative PML-RARa fusion gene was confirmed to be variant APL and was treated with all-trans retinoic acid(ATRA)-induction therapy but the efficacy was poor.The remaining 6 suspected APL patients with negative PML-RARa fusion gene were confirmed to be acute myeloid leukemia-M2.Conclusion Detection of PML-RARa fusion gene by FISH is sensitive and reliable,and is of great value for the diagnosis and treatment of APL.