Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is characterized by the Philadelphia chromosome and the BCR-ABL fusion gene that encodes an abnormal tyrosine kinase. Development of specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors completely changed the management of these patients.
Materials and methods: Between April 2008 and July 2012, at the Molecular Biology Laboratory, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Targu Mures, Romania, we monitored the M-BCR-ABL transcript level by real time quantitative PCR in case of 15 CML patients diagnosed at the Hematology and Transplant Center of Targu Mures.
Results: Modification of M-BCR-ABL expression level shows statistically significant correlation (p=0.013) with the clinical course of these patients.
Conclusions: Molecular biology techniques have an important role in monitoring CML patients and regular analysis is recommended.