Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: April-June | Volume: 5 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 49-52
BCR-ABL/ABL1 Ratio is Significantly Reduced in CML Patients Treated with Imatinib: A Follow-up Study
Namrata Bhutani1, Deepika Arora2, Neha Bhutani3
1Department of Biochemistry, Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi.
2Department of Anaesthesia, Royal London Hospital, NHS Barts Health, London, United Kingdom
3ESIC Dental College, Rohini, New Delhi
Corresponding Author: Neha Bhutani
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Previous studies have emphasized the importance of monitoring BCR-ABL/ABL1 ratio by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for follow-up during therapy.
Aims: This study aimed to study the effect of imatinib therapy on BCR-ABL/ABL1 ratio in newly diagnosed CML patients in north Indian population.
Methodology: After baseline investigations, patients were started on imatinib therapy and follow up was done for upto one year. Hematological response was assessed at regular intervals. To assess molecular response, Quantitative Real-Time PCR was used to quantitate BCR-ABL transcripts for the 30 CML cases, using ABL1 as control gene. Both pretreatment as well as post treatment BCR-ABL/ABL1 ratios were calculated for the 30 CML cases.
Results: The BCR-ABL/ABL1 ratio was measured at baseline, 6 months and at 12 months as depicted in Table 2. It was seen that BCR-ABL1/ABL1 ratio was significantly reduced at 6 months from baseline(p=0.027) Similar findings were seen at 12 months of therapy whereby BCR-ABL1/ABL1 ratio was significantly reduced as compared to baseline. (p=<0.001)
Conclusion: It can be concluded that Imatinib is effective in reducing BCR-ABL/ABL1 ratio in Indian population after six and twelve months of therapy.
Keywords: CML, Imatinib, BCR-ABL/ABL1 ratio