Israeli Researchers Develop Early Genetic Fingerprint Method to Detect Leukemia Relapse
Israeli scientists from Schneider Children's Medical Center and the Technion have developed a novel approach to detect early signs of leukemia relapse, even when only a tiny number of cancer cells remain. Their research focuses on acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive blood cancer affecting children. Instead of searching for individual cancer cells, the team identified a unique genetic "barcode" composed of hundreds of tiny markers shared by a patient's leukemia cells. This barcode remains stable over time, including during relapse.
The researchers created a computational method called DAISY-MRD to track this genetic fingerprint throughout and after treatment. This technique can detect residual disease in cases where conventional tests fail, and it distinguishes genetic patterns between children who relapse and those who remain healthy. This could enable earlier identification of patients at higher risk of relapse, allowing for tailored monitoring or additional therapy.
Dr. Ruti Shilah, a senior researcher at Schneider and the Plesner Institute, explained that the method looks for the unique genetic signature rather than single cancer cells, improving detection sensitivity. Dr. Yossi Marovka from the Technion added that the challenge was to develop a computational tool capable of finding this "needle in a haystack" in very small sample quantities. The resulting method is reportedly more accurate, cost-effective, and easier to operate than existing techniques.
Professor Shai Izraeli, former head of hematology-oncology at Schneider and a lead researcher, highlighted the historical significance of the study, crediting the late Professor Rina Zeitzov for establishing a tissue bank that enabled analysis of samples collected years ago. While the findings are promising, the researchers caution that further validation in additional medical centers is needed before DAISY-MRD can become a routine clinical tool. If confirmed, it could become a valuable method for monitoring leukemia in children and potentially adults, detecting disease relapse at its earliest stages.
