Novel multiplex RT-PCR assay to detect BCR/ABL mRNA variants

Abstract

The detection of the t(9;22) translocation, which results in the formation of the BCR/ABL oncoprotein, in patients diagnosed with chronic and acute leukaemias, allows for the administration of highly effective tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as imatinib and nilotinib. For the effective management of these patients it is important to monitor for minimal residual disease, allowing early therapy intervention prior to haematological relapse. Currently this is achieved through very sensitive quantitative real-time PCR assays. Unfortunately, these assays are highly specific to the BCR/ABL variant expressed: p210, p190 or p230 and require identification of the transcript type prior to selection of the correct monitoring assay. We have developed a novel multiplex BCR/ABL variant PCR assay that can identify the variant in a single qualitative assay, creating both a cost and time effective way to identify the most appropriate monitoring methodology for each patient.