BCR/ABL by PCR

Test name:
BCR/ABL1 by PCR

Order name:
BCR/ABL1 BY PCR REQUEST

Specimen requirements:
EDTA peripheral blood or bone marrow

Minimum volume:
3mL peripheral blood,  1mL bone marrow

Storage and stability information:
Refrigerated, 3 days (transport to lab within 1 day of collection)

Test performed:
Once per week

Methodology:
Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Reference range:
Negative for the BCR/ABL1 translocation

Clinical significance:
The BCR/ABL1 fusion gene is formed by the translocation involving chromosomes 9 and 22, t(9;22)(q34;q11) and is the initiating event in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The quantitative detection of the BCR/ABL1 fusion gene is useful to monitor patients’ response to imatinib and/or 2nd generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). Serial reporting of patients’ quantitative results is provided for both major and minor translocation fusion genes.

CPT codes:
81206, 81207