BCR-ABL BY RQ PCR (QUALITATIVE)

Overview

The t(9;22) is a balanced translocation between chromosomes 9 & 22 leading to fusion of bcr & c-abl genes and to the transcription of leukemia specific bcr-abl mRNAs. Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome causing the BCR/ABL fusion, is present in approximately 95% cases of Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and 25-30% cases of Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Due to development of potent tyrosine kinase inhibitors & anti-sense therapies, presence of BCR/ABL translocation is a favorable prognostic marker.