title: Tyrosine kinase fusion genes in chronic myeloproliferative diseases.
abstract: With the exception of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), chronic myeloproliferative disorders (CMPDs) are a heterogeneous spectrum of conditions for which the molecular pathogenesis is not well understood. Most cases have a normal or aneuploid karyotype, but a minority present with a reciprocal translocation that disrupts specific tyrosine kinase genes, most commonly PDGFRB or FGFR1. These translocations result in the production of constitutively active tyrosine kinase fusion proteins that deregulate hemopoiesis in a manner analogous to BCR-ABL. With the advent of targeted signal transduction therapy, an accurate clinical and molecular diagnosis of CMPDs has become increasingly important. Currently, patients with PDGFRB or ABL fusion genes are candidates for treatment with Imatinib (STI571), but it is likely that alternative strategies will be necessary for the treatment of most other patients.
authors.affiliation: Wessex Regional Genetics Laboratory, Salisbury, UK.
authors.forename: N C P
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reiter
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D009196:Myeloproliferative Disorders / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051496:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1; D020797:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
chemical_list: D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor; C496348:FGFR1 protein, human; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D051496:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1; D020797:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta