Comparative Study of Quantitative Real-Time Monitoring QRT-PCR for BCR-ABL Gene in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) Between Blood and Bone Marrow Samples

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the quantitative real-time RT-PCR (QRT-PCR) technique as a diagnostic tool for molecular surveillance of the BCR-ABL duplicate in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) using both peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) samples. Methods: Prospective analysis has been conducted a by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (QRT-PCR) for both PB and BM specimens, from 25 patients with untreated CML. QRT-PCR investigation was carried out previous and during treatment with Imatinib for untreated CML. Statistical examinations showed useful agreement of PB and BM pre- treatment specimens. Nevertheless, using the SPSS statistical method that estimates the agreement between PB and BM data, Results: This study showed low correspond of BCR-ABL measurements in PB and BM for specimens acquired through treatment. PB values tended to be lower than the conformable BM values [average difference = -0.37 (p<0.001) in 36 coupled samples] and the 95% limits of agreement ranged from -1.23 to 0.48. Nevertheless, the present study showed that BM and PB QRT-PCR values followed a similar direction during treatment (Spearman correlation coefficient, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.70, 0.96). Conclusion: Our findings imply that PB and BM measures of BCR-ABL are frequently quantitatively different. The most accurate way to determine whether there is minimal residual disease is through BM sampling because BM results tend to be greater than PB values (MRD). Based on these findings, we advise avoiding switching BM and PB sampling for MRD monitoring during CML treatment because doing so could result in incorrect interpretation of treatment outcomes.