An analysis of multiplex-PCR in the detection of BCR-ABL transcripts in hematological disorders

In this work, we describe the advantages of multiplex-PCR in the specific detection of BCR-ABL transcripts in different hematological disorders and its sensitivity compared to nested PCR. Fifty-three patients were studied for the presence of BCR-ABL transcripts: 24 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), 20 with acute leukemia (AL), and 9 patients with other hematological disorders. A variant rearrangement (b3a3) was found in a single case of CML (4.2%). Four out of the 20 patients with AL (20.0%) (14 adults, 6 children) were bcr-abl(+), and in this group three cases were classified as B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), and one as acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML). Two of the three patients with B-ALL were positive for b2a2 and the other one for e1a2, while in the BCR-ABL(+)AML patients a b3a2 rearrangement was observed. In conclusion, multiplex-PCR allows rapid, specific and simultaneous detection of different types of BCR-ABL transcripts in CML and ABL-BCR(+)AL. A full correlation was observed when multiplex-PCR was compared with nested PCR.