Repurposing the Whole Expression Transcriptome Assay for the Genetic Diagnosis of T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Lymphoma.

Unlike other cases of acute leukemia, the diagnosis of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-ALL/LBL) is uniquely based on morphology and flow cytometry. Although the genomic background has been broadly uncovered, the large spectrum of genes involved and the variability of the molecular mechanisms underlying gene deregulation have delayed the introduction of molecular cytogenetics into diagnostic flowcharts. To overcome these limitations and implement a genetic diagnosis of T-ALL/LBLs, we repurposed a whole transcriptome expression assay (WTEa) as a "priority test" to classify T-ALL/LBLs into the major genetic subtypes.