MLL (AML, ALL) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About MLL (AML, ALL) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | KMT2A Gene Rearrangement Test, Mixed Lineage Leukaemia Test, MLL Gene Translocation Test, 11q23 Rearrangement Test |
| Sample Type | Bone marrow aspirate and peripheral blood |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | 3 days |
| Recommended For | All ages (infants, children, and adults) with suspected acute leukaemia |
| Price | Starting at ₹4,800 |
What Is an MLL (AML, ALL) Test?
The MLL (AML, ALL) test detects abnormalities in the MLL gene, also known as KMT2A, which regulates blood cell development and is located on chromosome 11. When this gene breaks and fuses with another gene, it can drive the development of acute leukaemia. The test is ordered when a doctor suspects acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) or acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). It uses a laboratory technique called FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridisation) on a bone marrow or blood sample. This test is also known as the KMT2A gene rearrangement test, mixed lineage leukaemia test, MLL gene translocation test, or 11q23 rearrangement test.
What Does an MLL (AML, ALL) Test Measure?
This test measures a single genetic parameter. The table below explains what is being assessed:
| Parameter | What It Detects |
|---|---|
| MLL/KMT2A gene rearrangement | Chromosomal changes (translocations, duplications, or deletions) involving the KMT2A gene on chromosome 11q23, which regulates gene expression and blood cell development |
The presence or absence of this rearrangement helps doctors confirm a diagnosis, assess disease severity, and guide treatment decisions.
Why Is an MLL (AML, ALL) Test Done?
A doctor may order this test when blood counts or clinical signs point towards acute leukaemia. It helps confirm a diagnosis, guide treatment decisions, and assess a patient's prognosis.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following symptoms may prompt a doctor to request this test:
- Unexplained and persistent fatigue
- Breathlessness without a clear cause
- Frequent infections or a prolonged fever
- Easy bruising or unusual bleeding
- Night sweats
- Unexplained weight loss
- Bone or joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, or an enlarged spleen or liver
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
This test can help identify or confirm the following conditions:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), a blood cancer affecting lymphoid cells
- Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a blood cancer affecting myeloid cells
- Mixed phenotype acute leukaemia (MPAL), which shows features of both ALL and AML
- Therapy-related acute leukaemia, which arises after prior chemotherapy treatment
MLL (AML, ALL) Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
The MLL (AML, ALL) test can be repeated during and after treatment to track how well a patient is responding to therapy. It helps detect minimal residual disease (MRD), which refers to small numbers of leukaemia cells that may remain after treatment. This information is important for patients undergoing chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation for MLL-rearranged leukaemias.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Preparation for the MLL test procedure depends largely on whether bone marrow collection is required. Your doctor will guide you based on your specific situation.
Do You Need to Fast?
No, fasting is not required before this test. You may eat and drink normally before the sample collection. However, if a sedative is to be used during the bone marrow aspiration procedure, your doctor may advise you to fast from the night before. Always confirm with your doctor about the specific preparation needed beforehand.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Here are some steps to help you prepare:
- Bring a detailed clinical history including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history, as this is required for the test
- Tell your doctor about all medications you currently take, including blood thinners such as aspirin, as some may need to be paused before the procedure
- Inform your doctor about any bleeding disorders, allergies, or your pregnancy status, if applicable
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing on the day of the procedure
- Arrange for someone to drive you home if sedation is being used
- Do not stop taking any medication on your own unless your doctor specifically advises it
Step-by-Step Procedure
This test requires two types of samples, bone marrow aspirate and peripheral blood. The steps below describe what happens during collection:
Bone Marrow Aspirate Collection
- You will lie on your side or stomach. A healthcare professional will apply a local anaesthetic or numbing cream at the collection site, usually the lower back (posterior iliac crest).
- The skin area is thoroughly cleaned with an antiseptic solution to reduce infection risk.
- A thin, hollow needle attached to a syringe is carefully inserted into the bone to withdraw a small marrow sample.
- The sample is collected into a sodium heparin container and labelled for dispatch to the laboratory.
Peripheral Blood Collection
- The phlebotomist cleans the skin on the inside of your arm with an antiseptic wipe.
- A soft elastic band is placed around your upper arm to make the vein easier to locate.
- A small needle is inserted into a vein in your arm or hand to draw the blood sample into a labelled EDTA (lavender top) tube.
- The elastic band is removed, gentle pressure is applied to the puncture site, and a small bandage is placed over the site.
- Both samples are stored at 2 to 8°C and dispatched to the laboratory for FISH analysis.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
The following factors may influence the reliability of your results:
- Poor sample quality or delayed transport to the laboratory
- A low percentage of leukaemia cells (blasts) in the sample collected
- Use of peripheral blood when malignant cells are not circulating in sufficient numbers (bone marrow is preferred in such cases)
- Sample viability and correct storage temperature during transit
- The technical expertise of the cytogenetics laboratory performing the FISH analysis
Understanding Your MLL (AML, ALL) Test Results
Results from the MLL (AML, ALL) test are reported as either negative (not detected) or positive (detected). Your doctor will review the findings alongside your full clinical picture before drawing any conclusions. The table below summarises the key findings:
| Parameter | Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| MLL gene rearrangement | Not detected (Negative) | No MLL gene rearrangement identified in the sample tested |
| MLL gene rearrangement | Detected (Positive) | An MLL/KMT2A gene rearrangement is present, consistent with MLL-rearranged leukaemia |
Disclaimer: These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
MLL gene rearrangements show a bimodal pattern across age groups. They are most commonly found in ALL in infants under 12 months of age and also occur across a broader age range of older children and adults. A positive result in therapy-related cases (where leukaemia develops after prior chemotherapy) may carry a different prognosis compared with a new diagnosis, and your oncologist will factor this into the treatment plan.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
For patients already diagnosed or undergoing treatment, the following general steps support overall wellbeing:
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments with your haematologist or oncologist for proper monitoring
- Report any new or returning symptoms, such as unexplained fatigue, fever, or unusual bruising, to your doctor promptly
- Follow the treatment plan prescribed by your medical team and complete any recommended tests or monitoring cycles as advised
Lupin Diagnostics MLL (AML, ALL) Test Price
The MLL test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹4,800. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre, as bone marrow aspiration must be performed by a trained healthcare professional at a clinical facility. Home collection is not available for this test. The table below shows indicative prices across major Indian cities:
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 4800 |
| CHENNAI | 4800 |
| HYDERABAD | 4800 |
| KOLKATA | 4800 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 4800 |
| PUNE | 4800 |
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Follow these steps for MLL test online booking:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time for sample collection by a trained professional.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The MLL (AML, ALL) test detects rearrangements in the KMT2A (MLL) gene, which are linked to certain types of acute leukaemia. It helps doctors confirm a diagnosis, understand how aggressive the leukaemia is, and plan the right course of treatment.
This test is recommended for patients who have abnormal blood counts or symptoms pointing to acute leukaemia. It is particularly relevant for infants with leukaemia, where MLL rearrangements are found in up to 70% of cases, and for patients being evaluated for therapy-related leukaemia following prior chemotherapy.
A local anaesthetic is given before the bone marrow aspirate is collected, which significantly reduces discomfort. You may feel some pressure during the procedure. The peripheral blood draw involves a brief needle insertion and is similar to a routine blood test.
Results from the MLL (AML, ALL) test are typically available within 3 days at Lupin Diagnostics. The report is delivered directly via email or WhatsApp.
No. A negative result means no MLL gene rearrangement was detected in the sample tested. However, it does not rule out the presence of other types of leukaemia or blood disorders. Your doctor will review the result alongside other investigations before drawing any conclusions.
This test may be done at the time of initial diagnosis, at restaging, and again if the disease relapses. It is also used to check for minimal residual disease, which refers to small amounts of cancer cells that may remain after treatment, helping doctors assess how well treatment is working.
MLL (AML, ALL) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
