RT-qPCR and RT-Digital PCR: A Comparison of Different Platforms for the Evaluation of Residual Disease in Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia

BACKGROUND. Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) are part of the successful clinical management of patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML). However, optimal clinical management of CML requires a robust, standardized laboratory assay used at key clinical milestones to ensure a successful outcome for patients on TKIs. Quantitative monitoring of %BCR-ABL1ISby reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is the gold standard strategy for evaluating patient response to therapy and classification into prognostic subgroups. However, it can be challenging to perform in a reproducible manner. Reverse-Transcription Digital PCR (RT-dPCR) is an adaptation of this method that could provide the robust and standardized workflow needed for patient stratification.