Detection of AML1-ETO Fusion Gene in Iraqi Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia using Nested PCR and Flow Cytometry

Abstract

The rearrangement and instability of genomic material causes the occurrence of fusion genes. Over 800 distinct fusion genes have been found in human cancer, most observed in hematological cancers. Chromosomal rearrangements such as deletion, inversion, translocation, and amplification are the primary forms that lead to fusion gene formation, which are ultimately resulting from aberrant DNA transcription. The purpose of this research was to use nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and flow cytometry to determine how frequent the AML1-ETO fusion gene is among Iraqi AML patients. The AML1-ETO fusion gene was detected and documented in twenty-seven percent (27%) of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients were found to have the AML1-ETO fusion gene. The results of this study add to our understanding of the prevalence of the AML1-ETO fusion gene in Iraqi AML patients and have implications for the development of more effective treatment options.