RNA Biomarkers in Tissue Samples From Infants With Acute Myeloid Leukemia

SCOR in Targeted Therapies for Infant Leukemias Project 4: MicroRNA Sequencing of Infant AML

RATIONALE: Studying samples of tissue from patients with cancer in the laboratory may help doctors learn more about changes that occur in RNA and identify biomarkers related to cancer.

PURPOSE: This research study is studying RNA biomarkers in tissue samples from infants with acute myeloid leukemia.

OBJECTIVES:

• Sequence the microRNAs present in 20 infant AML samples as a pilot study.
• Compare microRNAs present in infant AML samples to infant ALL samples that are being concurrently sequenced in a separate study to identify lineage- and translocation-specific microRNAs.

OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study.

Previously collected cryopreserved cells from diagnosis are sequenced using reverse transcriptase-PCR.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia
• Available cryopreserved cells from diagnosis

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Not specified

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• Not specified