Identification of novel subgroups of high-risk pediatric precursor B acute lymphoblastic leukemia, outcome correlations and diagnostic and therapeutic methods related to same

A method for predicting therapeutic outcome in a patient with high risk B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) patient comprising:

• (A) obtaining a biological sample from said patient;
• (B) analyzing said sample to determine the expression level of the gene products MUC4 (Mucin 4) and IGJ (immunoglobulin J) and at least one additional gene product selected from the group consisting of CRLF2 (cytokine receptor-like factor 2) and GPR110 (G protein-coupled receptor 110) in said sample;
• and
• C) comparing the observed gene expression levels for each of said gene products to a control gene expression level selected from the group consisting of:
• i) the gene expression level for the gene products observed in a control sample;
• and
• ii) a predetermined gene expression level for the gene products;
• wherein an observed expression level of all of the gene products analyzed that is higher than the control gene expression level for said gene products indicates therapeutic failure with traditional leukemia therapy in said patient and said patient is treated with non-traditional leukemia therapy.