Part 1: Current Approach to Treating Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Jack W. Erter, III, MD, and Ramiro Garzon, MD

Drs. Erter and Garzon are fellows; both are at the Division of Hematology/Oncology, Comprehensive Care Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.

Question 4

Which of the following statements about monitoring patients receiving imatinib treatment for CP-CML is correct?

  •  After a patient achieves a major cytogenetic response,
    quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis should be
    performed in peripheral blood every 3 months
  •  Conventional bone marrow cytogenetic analysis should be
    performed every 3 months
  •  1-Log increase of BCR-ABL transcript levels as determined
    by quantitative reverse-transcript polymerase chain reaction
    (qRT-PCR) without achieving major molecular response should
    prompt the physician to obtain cytogenetic analysis of the
    bone marrow
  •  qRT-PCR for BCR-ABL transcript levels is extremely helpful in
    monitoring patients who have persistent Ph-positive chromosome
    in bone marrow karyotype analysis

Updated 3/4/2009 • nvf | Copyright ©2010 Turner White Communications