Detection of bcr/abl fusion gene in chronic granulocytic leukemia by nested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction

Objective To evaluate the value of the Philadelphia chromosome and bcr/abl fusion gene in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of chronic granulocytic leukemia (CGL). Methods Using bcr/abl fusion genes were detected by nested reverse in 46 CGL patients. The Philadelphia chromosome were detected by cytogenetic method in 28 of these patients.Results The positive rate of bcr/abl fusion gene was 95.7% .The positive rate of Philadelphia was 92.9%.The bcr/abl fusion genes were found in patients with negative Philadelphia chromosome. Conclusion Nested RT PCR is a rapid, sensitive and precise method for bcr/abl fusion gene in CGL, providing molecular biological basis for diagnosis of CGL with negative Philadelphia chromosome.