Quantitative molecular methods to monitor the response of CML patients to interferon-alpha.
Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) induces cytogenetic responses of variable degree in patients with CML. We sought to establish the relationship between BCR-ABL transcript numbers measured by competitive two-step reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and cytogenetic status in CML patients treated with IFN-alpha. All 305 samples from 133 patients investigated by RT-PCR were positive for BCR-ABL transcripts. In order to standardize results for variability in RNA and cDNA quality, we quantified total ABL transcripts in each sample as an internal control. The BCR-ABL : ABL ratios correlated well with the cytogenetic results. Quantitative nested PCR allowed the detection of residual BCR-ABL transcripts in all complete cytogenetic responders on IFN-alpha. We conclude that competitive PCR with internal controls is a reliable method for monitoring patients on IFN-alpha and reduces the need for repeated marrow investigations.
Hochhaus
A
A
III. Medizinische Klinik, Klinikum Mannheim, Universität Heidelberg, Germany.
Lin
F
F
Reiter
A
A
Skladny
H
H
Hehlmann
R
R
Goldman
J M
JM
Cross
N C
NC
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003582:Cytogenetics; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D016313:Genes, abl; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011379:Prognosis; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D013997:Time Factors
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm