Clinical significance of detection of Ph chromosome and Bcr-abl mRNA in chronic myeloid leukemia

Objective To evaluate the significance of Ph chromosome and bcr-abl mRNA expressions in diagnosis,staging and treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia(CML) as well as in monitoring minimal residual disease.Methods Expressions of Ph chromosome and bcr-abl mRNA of 437 CML patients were detected at the same time.Results Expression of bcr-abl mRNA gradually increased in blastic phase(BP),accelerated phase(AP) and chronic phase(CP)(P0.05).Quantification of bcr-abl mRNA decreased gradually after allotransplantation in the patients,and it became normal after 6 months' treatment.However,quantification of bcr-abl mRNA in imatinib mesylate-treated patients did not become normal until longer time later.Conclusion RT-PCR quantitative detection of bcr-abl mRNA is more sensitive than detection of Ph chromosome,and has an important clinical value in staging CML,monitoring treatment outcome,detecting the minimal residual disease and predicting disease development.