Partial tandem duplication of MLL gene in acute myeloid leukemia with translocation (11;17)(q23;q12–21)

Translocation 11q23 and MLL gene rearrangements are commonly observed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in association with the myelomonocytic or monocytic feature. We describe a case involving a 15-year-old patient with AML characterized by leukemic cells exhibiting translocation (11;17)(q23;q12–21) and MLL gene rearrangement. No fusion partner gene of the MLL gene was identified, including RARα(17q12) or AF17 (17q21); however, a partial tandem duplication of the MLL exon 11/exon 10 was detected in leukemic cells via a 3′RACE method for detection of unknown partner genes. The patient has been in remission for more than 2 years without hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Am. J. Hematol. 80:46–49, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.