MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory has deployed the Fluidigm Access Array technology to help uncover mutations in over 80% of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) patients, providing new insights into the molecular heterogeneity of the disease.
MLL researchers applied the properties of the Fluidigm Access Array System to prepare the samples and barcode the amplicons for next-generation deep-sequencing using 454 sequencing technology.
Researchers found that besides alterations in TET2, CBL, ASXL1 and the RAS pathway, EZH2 is targeted by various types of frameshift and point mutations.
EZH2 mutations constitute a novel poor prognostic risk group and, moreover, had the strongest clinical impact of all markers analyzed thus far.
Therefore, researchers suggest that EZH2 mutational status should be taken into account in future clinical studies of CMML.
Fluidigm president and CEO Gajus Worthington said Fluidigm’s Access Array System was used to prepare the samples into a total of 1782 bar-coded amplicons in a fast, easy process.
"Being able to automate this type of procedure with Fluidigm’s microfluidic technology provides researchers with the ability to make large, in-depth studies possible, practical and affordable," Worthington said.