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HelpTest Code BCRAB BCR/ABL1, p210, mRNA Detection, Reverse Transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), Quantitative, Monitoring Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), Varies
Reporting Name
BCR/ABL1, p210, Quant, MonitorUseful For
Monitoring response to therapy in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia who are known to have the e13/a2 or e14/a2 BCR/ABL1 fusion transcript forms
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
VariesShipping Instructions
Specimen must arrive within 72 hours of collection. Collect and package specimen as close to shipping time as possible. Specimens greater than 3 days old at the time of receipt will be considered unacceptable.
Necessary Information
Pertinent clinical history including if the patient has a diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia or other BCR/ABL1-positive neoplasm information is required.
Specimen Required
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Specimen Type: Whole blood
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Lavender top (EDTA)
Acceptable: Yellow top (ACD)
Specimen Volume: 10 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Invert several times to mix blood.
2. Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.
3. Label specimen as blood.
Specimen Type: Bone marrow
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Lavender top (EDTA)
Acceptable: Yellow top (ACD)
Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Invert several times to mix bone marrow.
2. Send bone marrow specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.
3. Label specimen as bone marrow.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Blood: 4 mL
Bone marrow: 1 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varies | Refrigerated (preferred) | 72 hours | PURPLE OR PINK TOP/EDTA |
| Ambient | 72 hours | PURPLE OR PINK TOP/EDTA |
Special Instructions
Reference Values
The presence or absence of BCR/ABL1 mRNA fusion form e13/e14-a2 producing the p210 fusion protein is identified. If positive, the quantitative level is reported as the normalized ratio of BCR/ABL1 (p210) to endogenous ABL1 mRNA with conversion to a percentage referenced to the international scale (IS), on which 0.1% BCR/ABL1:ABL1 (also represented on a log scale as Molecular Response 3, or MR3) is designated as a major molecular response (MMR) threshold.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
81206
Clinical Information
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a hematopoietic stem cell neoplasm included in the broader diagnostic category of myeloproliferative neoplasms. CML is consistently associated with fusion of the breakpoint cluster region gene (BCR) at chromosome 22q11 to the Abelson gene (ABL1) at chromosome 9q23. This fusion is designated BCR/ABL1 and may be seen on routine karyotype as the Philadelphia chromosome.
Although various breakpoints within the BCR and ABL1 genes have been described, more than 95% of CMLs contain a consistent mRNA transcript in which either the BCR exon 13 (e13) or BCR exon 14 (e14) is fused to the ABL1 exon 2 (a2), yielding fusion forms e13/a2 and e14/a2, respectively. The e13/a2 and e14/a2 fusion forms produce a 210-kDa protein (p210). The p210 fusion protein is an abnormal tyrosine kinase known to be critical for the clinical and pathologic features of CML, and agents that block the tyrosine kinase activity (ie, tyrosine kinase inhibitors or TKI, such as imatinib mesylate) have been used successfully for treatment. Monitoring the level of BCR/ABL1 mRNA in CML patients during treatment is helpful for both prognosis and management of therapy.(1-3) Rising BCR/ABL1 mRNA levels following attainment of critical therapeutic milestones (see Clinical References) can be indicative of acquired resistance mutations involving the ABL1 portion of the BCR/ABL1 fusion gene.
Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction is the most sensitive method for monitoring BCR-ABL1 levels during treatment. This test detects the BCR/ABL1 mRNA fusion forms found in CML (e13/a2 and e14/a2).
Report Available
3 to 6 daysReject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Moderately to severely clotted | Reject |
Method Name
Quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
Forms
1. Hematopathology Patient Information (T676)
2. If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Hematopathology/Cytogenetics Test Request (T726) with the specimen.