Context:
Using CRISPR technology, a new test called RAPID-CRISPR has been developed, which can quickly and accurately diagnose Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL), a rare and aggressive form of leukemia.
About the RAPID-CRISPR: A New Diagnostic Test
- The RAPID-CRISPR test was developed by researchers at the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research, and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) in Mumbai.
- RAPID (Redefined APL Identification) offers fast, affordable, and simple testing, delivering results in under three hours without the need for complex laboratory equipment.
- The test has nearly 100% sensitivity and specificity with almost no risk of false positives or false negatives.
- The results are displayed on a lateral flow strip, similar to a COVID-19 test, allowing doctors to read and act on the results easily.
How RAPID-CRISPR works
- CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) technology is known for its gene-editing capabilities and can also be used for molecular diagnosis in the RAPID-CRISPR test.
- The test works by adding a patient’s blood sample to a solution that targets the promyelocytic leukemia (PML) and retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA) gene mutation, which are key indicators of APL.
Sample Type:
- Peripheral blood is sufficient for diagnosis in 80% of cases.
- Bone marrow aspiration is necessary in approximately 20% of cases where the white blood cell count is extremely low.
Unlike traditional tests that require complex equipment, RAPID-CRISPR works directly on patient samples without the need for specialized machines or trained personnel, making it affordable and accessible.
About Leukemia
- It is a cancer of the marrow and blood.
- The four major types of leukemia are Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)
- It is a rare and aggressive subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in which cells in the bone marrow that produce blood cells (red cells, white cells, and platelets) do not develop and function normally.
- It is caused by a genetic mutation where two genes, promyelocytic leukemia (PML) and retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA), mistakenly fuse together.
- The fusion of the two genes leads to the production of fewer white blood cells and platelets, which reduces the body’s ability to fight infections and control bleeding.
- It can cause severe internal bleeding in organs such as the lungs and brain, which can result in death.
- APL is a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and accounts for about 10-15% of newly diagnosed AML cases.
- The median age at diagnosis is around 34 years, with cases being more profound in males.
- After the United States and China, India had the highest number of cases of AML in 2021.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Sudden bleeding from multiple sites, especially from gum and nose,
- Fatigue,
- Fever without focus, and
- Bone pain.