B-cell and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Individualized test options for each patient

In the United States, the incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is approximately 1 in 50,000. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia accounts for approximately 70% of all childhood leukemia cases (ages 0 to 19 years), making it the most common type of childhood cancer. Approximately 85% of pediatric cases of ALL are B-cell lineage (B-ALL) and 15% are T-cell lineage (T-ALL). It has a peak incidence at 2–5 years of age. The incidence decreases with increasing age, before increasing again at around age 50. 

A combination of cytogenetic and FISH testing is currently recommended in all pediatric and adult patients to characterize the B-ALL and T-ALL clones for the prognostic genetic subgroups. Each of the genetic subgroups are important to detect, can be critical prognostic markers, and can assist in treatment selection. 

A newly recognized World Health Organization (WHO) entity BCR-ABL1-like ALL, also known as Philadelphia chromosome-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph-like ALL), is increasing in importance due to the poor prognosis seen in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult ALL. Common features of this entity involve rearrangements with tyrosine kinase genes involving the following: ABL2, PDGFRB, JAK2, ABL1, CRLF2, P2RY8, and deletions involving IKZF1. Patients who have failed conventional therapies have demonstrated favorable responses to targeted therapies when rearrangements involving these specific gene regions have been identified.

Comprehensive testing, simplified

Our approach to fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)testing is designed to simplify the ordering process by providing diagnostic panels that include all appropriate genes.

Key testing

BALAF | Adult ALL (B-cell), FISH panel

  • Performed on specimens from patients ages 31 and older with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma

BALPF | Pediatric ALL (B-cell), FISH panel

  • Performed on specimens from patients ages 30 and younger with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma

BALMF  | Specified ALL (B-cell), FISH Panel

  • Probe set(s) to be performed must be specified upon ordering. Any probe set(s) captured under BALAF, BALPF, or PHLDF can be ordered

BLBLF | B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, FISH Panel

  • Performed on paraffin-embedded tissue. When ordered, entire BLBL FISH panel will be performed. Panel performed will be determined by age

PHLDF  | Ph-like ALL (B-cell), Diagnostic FISH Panel

  • When ordered, the entire Ph-like B-cell ALL FISH panel will be performed. If individual probes from this panel are desired, order under BALMF

TALAF  | T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), FISH, Adult, Varies

  • Performed on specimens from patients ages 31 and older with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma

TALPF  | T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), FISH, Pediatric, Varies

  • Performed on specimens from patients ages 30 and younger with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma

TALMF  | T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), Specified FISH, Varies

  • Probe set(s) to be performed must be specified upon ordering. Any probe set captured under TALAF or TALPF can be ordered

CILDF  | Congenital Infantile Leukemia, Diagnostic FISH Panel

  • Performed on specimens from patients ages 18 months and younger

CILMF  | Congenital Infantile Leukemia, Specified FISH Panel

  • Probe set(s) to be performed must be specified upon ordering. Any probe set(s) captured under CILDF can be ordered

CILPF  | Congenital Infantile Leukemia, FISH, Tissue

  • Detecting a neoplastic clone associated with the common chromosome abnormalities and classic rearrangements seen in infant patients with leukemia using tissue specimens

Additional testing

CHRBM  | Chromosome Analysis, Hematologic Disorders, Bone Marrow

TRBC1 a Useful Tool in T-Cell Flow Cytometry

Horatiu Olteanu, M.D., Ph.D., gives an overview of the new T-cell receptor (TCR) β-chain constant region (TRBC1) flow cytometry marker, which is now included in Mayo Clinic Laboratories' routine diagnostic T-cell flow cytometry panel. He discusses when this testing should be ordered, how the addition of TCRBC1 compares to previous testing approaches, and how this marker can assist ordering physicians.

Learn more

Learn more about our algorithmic approach to testing.

Download now

Learn more about how to order these evaluations at your institution.