Molecular genetic profile in BCR-ABL1 negative pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia can further refine outcome prediction in addition to that by end-induction minimal residual disease detection.

The recently proposed molecular genetic criteria promise improved risk-prediction in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). This study assesses their utility in BCR-ABL1 negative pediatric B-ALL, particularly with respect to end-induction minimal residual disease (MRD). The DNA was analyzed for copy number alterations in CDKN2A/B, PAX5, IKZF1, and other genes. Seventy-six cases with median age 7 years (2 months-18 years) included MRD-positive (24; 32%), and MRD negative-standard (20; 26%), intermediate (20; 26%), & high risk (12;16%) cases. The risk classification was based on age, initial total leukocyte count, central nervous system involvement, cytogenetics, day 8 prednisolone response and MRD status after induction chemotherapy. The genetic profile based on Moorman's criteria identified two subgroups with different event free survival (EFS) (0.77 vs. 0.38; p = .045) and overall survival (OS) (0.90 vs. 0.30; p = .037) in the MRD-negative intermediate-risk group. The genetic profile also separated two subgroups with different EFS (0.75 vs. 0.41; p = .036) in the MRD-positive group, however the OS was not different (0.75 vs. 0.57; p = .293).