Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: April | Volume: 7 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 363-368
BCR‐ABL1 Transcript Type Does Not Alter Response to Imatinib in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients
Namrata Bhutani1, Deepika Arora2, Neha Bhutani3
1Department of Biochemistry, Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
2Department of Anaesthesia, Royal London Hospital, NHS Barts Health, London, United Kingdom
3ESIC Dental College, Rohini, New Delhi, India.
Corresponding Author: Neha Bhutani
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The site of the breakpoint in the BCR gene may influence the phenotype of the disease. In majority of CML. Earlier studies reported patients with b3a2 transcript had higher survival rates compared to b2a2 transcript. This study aimed to study the association between the frequencies of BCR‑ABL transcripts and response to imatinib in CML patients.
Aims: This study aimed to study the association between the frequencies of BCR‑ABL transcripts (b3a2 transcript, b2a2 transcript and b2a2/b3a3 transcripts) and response to imatinib in CML patients.
Methodology : In the beginning of the study, before initiation of Imatinib therapy,
detection of BCR-ABL1 fusion gene transcripts for confirmation of diagnosis of CML by Qualitative multiplex RT-PCR .After initiation of Imatinib therapy, follow-up and response monitoring of patients was done for 6 months to 12 months i.e. during the duration of the study, depending on the time point at which the patient was recruited in the study. Hematological response( Hb, TLC, DLC and platelet count ) was assessed at regular intervals during the duration of the study. Molecular Response (BCR-ABL1/ABL1 %)was assessed once, either at 6 months or at 12 months after beginning of imatinib therapy , depending on the time of recruitment of patient in the study.
Results: It was observed that 50 % of cases had b3a2 transcript, while 26.6 % cases had b2a2 transcript and remaining 23.3 % had b2a2/b3a3 transcripts. 93.3% of patients with b3a2 transcript had achieved complete hematological response by the end of three months. Also, 75 % of patients with b2a2 transcript had achieved CHR by the end of three months. Howover, 85.7% patients with both b2a2/b3a3 transcripts had achieved by the end of three months. This difference is found to be statistically significant (p=0.536).
Conclusions: No association was found between type of BCR-ABL transcript and achievement of hematological or molecular response in chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with Imatinib.
Keywords: Chronic myeloid leukemia, Imatinib, BCR-ABL transcripts
[PDF Full Text]