[Analysis of Bcr-abl type transcript and its relationship with platelet count in Mexican patients with chronic myeloid leukemia].
OBJECTIVE
It has been suggested that type of chimeric mRNA is associated with differences in the clinical and hematologic characteristics of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, prognostic value of type of chimeric mRNA bcr-xabl (b3a2 or b2a2) is still controversial.


METHODS
We analyzed 97 cases of Philadelphia-positive CML to determine mRNA type by reverse-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and its relationship with clinical features.


RESULTS
We detected b3a2 bcr-abl transcripts in 27 (28%) cases, b2a2 in 57 (59%) cases, and 13 (13%) with both mRNA transcripts b3a2/b2a2. These frequencies were the total reverse of other reports. Age, sex, hemoglobin, and white-cell counts showed no significant difference for those with either b3a2 or b2a2 bcr-abl transcripts. However, platelet counts of b3a2 patients were significantly higher than those of b2a2 patients (743.3 vs 477.3 x 109/L; p = 0.01). In addition, in the subgroup of patients whose white-cell count at diagnosis was < 100 x 10(9)/L, those with b3a2 transcript had a significantly higher platelet count (679.1 vs. 352.2 x 10(9)/L; p = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
We observed reversed frequency of bcr-abl transcripts in this population, but agreement with other Latin-American reports. In addition, our data suggested that there is different CML biological behavior in our population and that there is a subpopulation of CML patients in whom b3a2 is associated witH higher thrombopoietic activity.
Rosas-Cabral
Alejandro
A
Unidad de Epidemiología Clínica Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico La Raza, IMSS, Seris y Zaachila s/n, Colonia La Raza, Delegación Atzcapotzalco, 02290 México, D.F.
Martínez-Mancilla
Manuel
M
Ayala-Sánchez
Manuel
M
Vela-Ojeda
Jorge
J
Bahena-Reséndiz
Patricia
P
Vadillo-Buenfil
Manuel
M
Aviña-Zubieta
J Antonio
JA
Salazar-Exaire
Daniel
D
Miranda-Peralta
Enrique
E
Marroquín
Alberto
A
Longoria-Revilla
Ernesto
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D024682:BRCA2 Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D051927:CD24 Antigen; D005260:Female; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D024682:BRCA2 Protein; D051927:CD24 Antigen; C497889:CD24 protein, human; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl