Detection of minimal residual bcr/abl transcripts by a modified polymerase chain reaction.
The Philadelphia (Ph1) chromosome in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) involves reciprocal translocation of the bcr gene and the c-abl oncogene. The fused bcr/abl gene is transcribed into two types of chimeric mRNA. By means of a combined method of S1 nuclease protection and polymerase chain reaction, we amplified sequences representative of the chimeric bcr/abl transcripts. Only 5 micrograms of total cellular RNA is needed and the chimeric bcr/abl message can be detected at a dilution of 1:100,000. We also detected residual chimeric bcr/abl transcripts in the remission samples from two Ph1-positive CML patients. This technique has the potential to identify a subpopulation of Ph1-positive CML patients in remission who are at high risk of relapse.
Lee
M S
MS
Division of Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas System Cancer Center, Houston 77030.
Chang
K S
KS
Freireich
E J
EJ
Kantarjian
H M
HM
Talpaz
M
M
Trujillo
J M
JM
Stass
S A
SA
D001483:Base Sequence; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000378:metabolism*; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl; D006801:Humans; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010677:Philadelphia Chromosome; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012313:RNA / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D012313:RNA; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase