METHOD FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF LEUKEMIA

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for the diagnosis of the involvement of the central nervous system in a subject afflicted with leukemia. In particular, the present invention relates to the determination of the relative level or absolute amount of interleukin-15 (IL-15) and/or interleukin-15 receptor alpha chain (IL-15R alpha) in a sample from a subject afflicted with leukemia and comparing said level and/or amount with the level and/or amount of IL-15 and/or IL-15R alpha in a control sample. An elevated relative level and/or absolute amount of IL-15 and/or IL-15R alpha in the sample from a subject afflicted with leukemia relative to the control is indicative of the involvement of the central nervous system in leukemia and increased risk of relapse of leukemia and increased risk of relapse of leukemia.