Acute Myeloid Leukemia - FLT3 mutations Test

The FMS – like tyrosine gene (FLT3) is the only formula that codes for the tyrosine kinase group which is a receptor or a signal line transmembrane protein. An FLT3 mutation consisting of internal tandem duplication is the most common form of mutation with FLT3. This form of mutation carries out the duplication of the DNA that belongs to exons 14 or 15. Therefore, in some cases or results, FLT3 behaves or acts like an adverse prognostic indicator. The activation loop of FLT3 is a home to the codon of an aspartate residue. This point is the second most common form of mutation. Almost all results reveal that both forms of FLT3 mutations induce a constitution activation of FLT3.

Tests and reference values vary from one lab to the other. Hence, it is wise to consult the doctor before the test which is quite obvious. There might not be any preparations needed but to be on the safer side and to avoid errors during the test, talk to your doctor about it. The doctor might probably inquire about any prevailing allergies and what is the nature of medication you are under. You need to be honest and genuine before the doctor because the lab test might consist of reagents or materials that might trigger your allergies.

The test is a boon for patients suffering from acute myeloid leukemia. One key advantage that surpasses all other advantages is that the test is a prognostic indicator in the process. It shows which among the two forms of mutations were observed, whether both were observed or none of them was observed. Accordingly, the status is then detected positive or negative. An allergic ratio is or will be indicated if internal tandem duplication is affirmative.

The test is called Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Some labs refer to it as Capillary Electrophoresis. The test detects the presence of two different forms of mutations, that is, one, the coding sequence undergoing internal tandem duplication in order to achieve the intracellular juxtamembrane domain and two, point in the codon showing Asp835. A sample is taken. This sample is then used to extract a genomic DNA from the present nucleated cells in the sample. Two sets of primers from the DNA are used to perform the process of PCR. Any one primer from the pair among the set of DNAs is stained with a fluorescent dye to catalyse the process of PCR – fragment analysis. The end product of the process are further studied and analysed using an Applied Biosystems 3130 × 1 instrument.