The t(9;22) translocation occurs in the majority of patients suffering from chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) but also in a relatively large percentage of patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), leading to the expression of a hybrid RNA of the BCR/ABL type.
A semi-quantitative RT-PCR method is applied, from a peripheral blood or bone marrow sample, allowing the detection of at least 10 RNA copies of the M-, m-, or μ- BCR/ABL type.
This test may also be applied in combination with:
- Karyotype analysis of bone marrow cells, combined with molecular detection of multiple chromosomal rearrangements
- Multicolor karyotype (M-FISH)