Quantitative detection of BCR-ABL fusion gene and its application in monitoring chronic myeloid leukemia treatment

Mol Biol Rep. 2011 Jun;38(5):3101-5. doi: 10.1007/s11033-010-9979-3. Epub 2010 Feb 2.

Abstract

The BCR-ABL fusion gene in chromosome translocation, t (9; 22), and its product, p210BCR/ABL oncogenic tyrosine kinase, is the underlying molecular mechanism that leads to the development of CML. Quantitative detection of BCR-ABL fusion gene has become a reliable approach to diagnose and monitor CML. The aim of this study was to evaluate a Roche t (9; 22) kit in CML diagnosis, monitoring treatment responses, and identification of relapse. Using BCR-ABL fusion gene-expressing K562 cells, a series of standard samples were prepared and used to establish a curve for the calculation of BCR-ABL fusion gene expression in patient samples. Our results indicate that PCR detection system with aforementioned kit has good reproducibility. In addition, the relative concentration of BCR-ABL measured by PCR was in agreement with the patient's response to the Imatinib treatment and bone marrow morphology remission. Furthermore, we found that the relative concentration of BCR-ABL fusion gene increased 1-3 months before CML relapse was clinically and cytogenetically diagnosed, suggesting that the PCR-based BCR-ABL fusion gene detection with t (9; 22) kit is able to diagnose the recurrence of CML at least 1 month earlier than the classic cytogenetic analysis. In conclusion, detection of BCR-ABL fusion gene expression in CML using Roche t (9; 22) kit has great clinical value in the primary diagnosis, monitoring treatment responses, and identification of relapse in CML patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Benzamides
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / genetics*
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • K562 Cells
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / diagnosis
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / genetics*
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / prevention & control*
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / therapy*
  • Piperazines / therapeutic use
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use
  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
  • Recurrence
  • Remission Induction

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Benzamides
  • Biomarkers
  • Piperazines
  • Pyrimidines
  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl