Genetic Re-Testing for AML: Can Patients Develop New Driver Mutations?
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Published on July 17, 2019
Can an acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patient’s genetic profile change over time? Should genetic tests be repeated? Tune in to hear AML expert Dr. Uma Borate, from Oregon Health & Science University,discuss the potential of acquiring new mutations and give recommendations for testing.
This is a Patient Empowerment Network program in partnership with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society produced by Patient Power. We thank Celgene, Daiichi Sankyo, Jazz Pharmaceuticals and Novartis for their support. These organizations have no editorial control
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Transcript | Genetic Re-Testing for AML: Can Patients Develop New Driver Mutations?
Please remember the opinions expressed on Patient Power are not necessarily the views of our sponsors, contributors, partners or Patient Power. Our discussions are not a substitute for seeking medical advice or care from your own doctor. That’s how you’ll get care that’s most appropriate for you.
Andrew Schorr:
Dr. Borate, one other thing about testing. So we mentioned somebody gets to the hospital, and ideally there's this panel, this next?generation sequencing done, fast track trying to get the results back to the specialist to decide do you have a targeted therapy or what's going on, what's your version of AML.
But cancer is wily, and the cells can change, and the cancer gene that was driving your AML on day one could be different on day 50 or 100.
Dr. Borate:
Absolutely.
Andrew Schorr:
You would know the (?) numerical better than I. So is retesting sometimes needed if something changes?
Dr. Borate:
Yep. So I think this is a great question, Andrew, and I think it ties into what Amanda said about centers of excellence because this is something we routinely do in our AML patients every time. We sort of look back and see what their disease is doing, and we call it restaging. And sometimes we see certain genetic changes or mutations come in even when the patient is in remission. When we can't see the AML we can see some of the background cells acquire different mutations so we can keep a closer eye on the patient as they continue down the road. So I think retesting is one of those things that is not done enough if you don't have experience with the disease.
Because you're absolutely right. The disease is wily. It does change. The mutation that was driving your disease to begin with may not be the one driving it when it relapses, and I think that's really where we need more information, and we need to have this testing done in order to treat the patient appropriately.
Please remember the opinions expressed on Patient Power are not necessarily the views of our sponsors, contributors, partners or Patient Power. Our discussions are not a substitute for seeking medical advice or care from your own doctor. That’s how you’ll get care that’s most appropriate for you.
