BCR-ABL Quantitative PCR (IS Scale)

Understanding BCR-ABL Quantitative PCR (IS Scale)

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a slow-growing blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow. It can lead to the excessive production of abnormal white blood cells. It is commonly associated with the Philadelphia chromosome, a genetic abnormality caused by a translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22. This translocation results in the formation of the BCR-ABL1 fusion gene, which produces an abnormal enzyme called BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase. This enzyme promotes uncontrolled cell division, leading to the progression o...

What does BCR-ABL Quantitative PCR (IS Scale) measure?

The BCR-ABL Quantitative PCR (IS Scale) is a highly sensitive molecular blood test that measures the BCR-ABL gene (a genetic mutation linked to chronic myeloid leukemia [CML] and some blood cancers) and quantifies BCR-ABL p210 fusion transcript levels on an international scale (IS). It helps diagnose CML, monitor treatment effectiveness, and detect minimal residual disease, assess prognosis, and guide therapy adjustments.