Genetic Test To Identify Previously Undetectable Minimal Residual Disease in Cell Samples From Younger Patients With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Next-Generation Sequencing of Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Variable Region to Identify Previously Undetectable Minimal Residual Disease in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia With Prognostic Significance

RATIONALE: Testing for minimal residual disease in cell samples from patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia may help doctors plan better treatment.

PURPOSE: This research trial studies a genetic test in identifying previously undetectable minimal residual disease in cell samples from younger patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

OBJECTIVES:

• To identify and characterize changes in clonal populations of B cells in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at diagnosis and Day 29 of induction.
• To define the ability of this technology to reclassify patients as minimal residual disease (MRD) positive at Day 29 of induction.
• To determine whether more sensitive detection of MRD at Day 29 would have clinical prognostic value in children with ALL.

OUTLINE: DNA extracted from diagnostic cells are analyzed for immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region by next-generation sequencing.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Samples from patients enrolled on COG-AALL0232 with standard-risk (SR) or high-risk (HR) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with varying levels of MRD and relapse
• Diagnostic cells and Day 29 cells from patients that have not relapsed and are 5 years from diagnosis on protocol COG-AALL0232
• Diagnostic cells and Day 29 cells from patients that are matched for age, sex, initial white blood cell (WBC) count, and cytogenetics that have relapsed

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Not specified

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• Not specified