Multiplex RT-PCR for the detection of common BCR-ABL fusion transcripts in paraffin-embedded tissues from patients with chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia requires the investigation of the Philadelphia chromosome translocation t(9;22) or the molecular detection of BCR-ABL fusion transcripts. Determination of the type of fusion transcript is crucial for quantitative molecular monitoring the course of the disease during treatment. Histopathologists, who usually use formalin-fixed tissues, may be confronted with the need to investigate the BCR-ABL rearrangement when evaluating tumor forming infiltrates and bone marrow trephines from patients presenting with chronic myeloproliferative disorders. Therefore, we have established a one-tube multiplex RT-PCR for the detection of common BCR-ABL fusion transcripts (b2a2, b3a2, e1a2) in routinely processed tissues and bone mar-row trephines with respect to the inevitable fragmentation of ribonucleic acids in these specimens. RT-PCR products allow distinct and unequivocal differentiation of the underlying fusion in either the Major- or minor-breakpoint cluster region. Detection of BCR-ABL fusion transcripts by multiplex RT-PCR in routinely processed and fixed tissues is a time- and cost-sparing tool for definite diagnosis of typical chronic myeloid leukemia and Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.