Frequency of BCR-ABL Transcript Types in Syrian CML Patients

Background. in syria,cml patients are started on tyrosine kinase inhibitors (tkis) and monitored until complete molecular response is achieved. bcr-abl mrna transcript type is not routinely identified,contrary to the recommendations. in this study we aimed to identify the frequency of different bcr-abl transcripts in syrian cml patients and highlight their significance on monitoring and treatment protocols. methods. cml patients positive for bcr-abl transcripts by quantitative rt-pcr were enrolled. bcr-abl transcript types were investigated using a home-made pcr method that was adapted from published protocols and optimized. the transcript types were then confirmed using a commercially available research kit. results. twenty-four transcripts were found in 21 patients. the most common was b2a2,followed by b3a2,b3a3,and e1a3 present solely in 12 (57.1%),3 (14.3%),2 (9.5%),and 1 (4.8%),respectively. three samples (14.3%) contained dual transcripts. while b3a2 transcript was apparently associated with warning molecular response to imatinib treatment,b2a2,b3a3,and e1a3 transcripts collectively proved otherwise (p = 0.047). conclusion. it might be advisable to identify the bcr-abl transcript type in cml patients at diagnosis,using an empirically verified method,in order to link the detected transcript with the clinical findings,possible resistance to treatment,and appropriate monitoring methods. © 2016 sulaf farhat-maghribi et al.