title: Quantitative molecular methods to monitor the response of CML patients to interferon-alpha.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: III. Medizinische Klinik, Klinikum Mannheim, Universität Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hochhaus
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reiter
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Skladny
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hehlmann
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Cross
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm